According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), more than 29 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body stops producing the natural hormone insulin. Insulin converts the sugar, or glucose, that we consume into energy. The energy that comes from glucose is needed by all cells, in muscles, tissues, and the brain, to function. All types of diabetes prevent the body from processing glucose effectively, either due to insufficient insulin levels or insulin resistance. This condition causes complications. By knowing the symptoms and risk factors for diabetes, you can recognize that you may have diabetes and then undergo tests to confirm the diagnosis.
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Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes
Step 1. Recognize type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common chronic condition in children although it can be diagnosed at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. In most cases, type 1 diabetes occurs because the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Because the body cannot produce enough insulin, the glucose in the blood cannot be converted into energy. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood and causes various problems.
- Factors that contribute to type 1 diabetes include genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Viruses are a common trigger for type 1 diabetes in adults.
- If you have type 1 diabetes, insulin may have to be used.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of type 1 diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, frequent thirst, frequent hunger, rapid and unnatural weight loss, irritability, feeling very tired, and blurred vision. These symptoms are usually severe and appear within weeks or months and can be mistaken for the flu at first.
- Additional symptoms that may be experienced by children, namely the habit of bedwetting suddenly occurs again.
- Women can also get yeast infections.
Step 3. Take the Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) test
This test is used to diagnose prediabetes and type 1 diabetes. A blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory. Laboratory workers measure the amount of blood sugar in the blood hemoglobin. This number describes the condition of the patient's blood sugar level for the last 2-3 months. The results of this test vary based on the age of the patient being examined. Test results in children can be higher than adults.
- If the sugar in the hemoglobin is 5.7% or less, the blood sugar level is normal. If the sugar in the hemoglobin is 5.7-6.4%, the adult patient has prediabetes. If the patient is a teenager or younger, the upper limit for prediabetes increases to 7.4%.
- If the sugar present in the hemoglobin is more than 6.5%, the adult patient has diabetes. If the patient is in their teens or younger, a test result of more than 7.5% indicates the patient has diabetes.
- Certain diseases, such as anemia and sickle cell anemia, can affect this test. So, if you have a similar disease, your doctor may use other tests to diagnose diabetes.
Step 4. Take a Fasting Blood Sugar (GDP) test
This test is most commonly used because it is accurate and less expensive than other tests. To undergo this test, the patient must not eat or drink anything, except water, for at least 8 hours. The doctor or nurse then takes a blood sample and sends it to a laboratory for testing for glucose levels.
- If the test result is less than 100 mg/dl, the blood sugar level is normal and the patient does not have diabetes. If the test results are 100-125 mg/dl, the patient has prediabetes.
- If the test result is more than 126 mg/dl, the patient may have diabetes. If the test results do not show normal blood sugar levels, the test is usually repeated to make sure the results are accurate.
- This test can also detect type 2 diabetes.
- This test is usually done in the morning because the patient has to fast for a long time.
Step 5. Take a Blood Sugar Test (GDS)
This is the least accurate but effective test. Blood samples can be taken at any time, no matter how much or when the patient last ate. If the test result is above 200 mg/dl, the patient may have diabetes.
This test can also detect type 2 diabetes
Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes
Step 1. Learn about type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs most often in adults 40 years of age and older because the body has become immune to the effects of insulin or the body no longer produces enough insulin to control blood levels. blood glucose. In type 2 diabetes, muscle, fat, and liver cells can no longer use insulin properly. This causes the body to need more insulin to break down glucose. Although initially insulin is produced by the pancreas, over time the ability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to control blood glucose obtained from food decreases. As a result, glucose accumulates in the blood.
- More than 90% of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
- Prediabetes is the early stage of type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes can often be cured with diet, exercise, and sometimes medication.
- The main risk factor for type 2 diabetes is being overweight. This also applies to children because the number of pediatric and adolescent patients with type 2 diabetes is increasing.
- Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include a passive lifestyle, family history, race, and age, especially 45 years and over.
- Women with gestational diabetes and patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of type 2 diabetes
The onset of symptoms of type 2 diabetes is not as early as type 1. Type 2 diabetes is often not diagnosed until symptoms appear. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are the same as those of type 1, including frequent thirst, frequent urination, feeling very tired, frequent hunger, rapid and unnatural weight loss, and blurred vision. Typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes are dry mouth, headaches, sores that don't heal, itchy skin, fungal infections, unnatural weight gain, and numb or tingling hands and feet.
1 in 4 people with type 2 diabetes are unaware that they have the disease
Step 3. Take the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
This test lasts for 2 hours in the doctor's office. A blood sample is taken before the test is performed. Next, the patient was asked to consume a special sweet drink and wait for 2 hours. Blood samples were taken again at specified times within a 2-hour period. Then, the blood sugar level is calculated.
- If the test result is less than 140 mg/dl, the blood sugar level is normal. If the test results are 140-199 mg/dl, the patient has prediabetes.
- If the test results are 200 mg/dl or more, the patient may have diabetes. If the test results do not show normal blood sugar levels, the test is usually repeated to make sure the results are accurate.
Step 4. Take the Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) test
In addition to detecting type 2 diabetes, this test can also be used to diagnose prediabetes and type 1 diabetes. A blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. Laboratory workers measure the amount of blood sugar in the blood hemoglobin. This number describes the condition of the patient's blood sugar levels over the last few months.
- If the sugar in the hemoglobin is 5.7% or less, the blood sugar level is normal. If the sugar in the hemoglobin is 5.7-6.4%, the patient has prediabetes.
- If the sugar present in the hemoglobin is more than 6.5%, the patient has diabetes. Because this test measures blood sugar levels over a long period of time, it doesn't need to be repeated.
- Certain blood diseases, such as anemia and sickle cell anemia, can affect this test. So, if you have a similar disease, your doctor may use other tests to diagnose diabetes.
Method 3 of 3: Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
Step 1. Learn about gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs only in pregnant women. During pregnancy, a woman's body increases the production of certain hormones and nutrients that can cause insulin resistance. As a result, the pancreas increases insulin production. Often, the increase in insulin causes the mother's blood sugar levels to rise only slightly so that they are kept under control. If the increase in insulin is too large, the mother is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
- When pregnant, take a diabetes test between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy to see if gestational diabetes occurs. Gestational diabetes doesn't cause any physical symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. If not detected, gestational diabetes can cause pregnancy disorders.
- Gestational diabetes resolves on its own after the baby is born, but can trigger the appearance of type 2 diabetes in the future.
Step 2. Know the symptoms of gestational diabetes
This diabetes causes no obvious signs or symptoms. However, women are at risk of developing gestational diabetes if they had diabetes before becoming pregnant. If you think you're at risk, get tested before you get pregnant to see if you have early indicators, such as prediabetes. However, the only way to confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes is to get tested while pregnant.
Step 3. Take the initial glucose challenge test
In this test, the patient is asked to drink a glucose syrup solution, then wait for 1 hour. After that, blood sugar levels are checked. If the result is less than 130-140 mg/dl, the patient's blood sugar level is normal. A test result of more than 130-140 mg/dl indicates there is a risk of gestational diabetes, but it is not certain that you have the condition. A follow-up test called a glucose tolerance test needs to be done to be sure.
Step 4. Take a glucose tolerance test (GTT)
To undergo this test, the patient must fast throughout the night. The next morning, before eating or drinking anything, a blood sample is taken and blood sugar levels are tested. Then, the patient is asked to drink a glucose syrup solution, which is a solution that has high glucose levels. Furthermore, blood sugar levels are checked every hour for 3 hours. If the results of the last two tests are more than 130-140 mg/dl, the patient may have gestational diabetes.
