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Diagnosis of Diabetes
By peace | November 19, 2007
People find out they have diabetes in many different ways. It is not uncommon for people who have had undiagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes for years to find out when an ophthalmologist notices changes in their retina during a routine sight test. If diabetes is suspected, the GP may take blood and/or urine samples in the surgery.
Blood Tests
If your GP has a blood glucose testing meter and strips he or she will be able to tell within seconds whether your glucose level is raised. Your doctor may decide that you need to have further blood tests done at hospital.
Regardless of where it is done, measuring the level of glucose in your blood can normally confirm whether you have diabetes. However, if you have no symptoms and the level is only slightly above normal, you may have to have what is called a glucose tolerance test before a definite diagnosis can be made.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
If blood tests show that your blood glucose level is borderline, you may need an oral glucose test. There are three possible outcomes, depending on the results of the test:
- Your blood glucose may be within the normal range, in which case you do not have diabetes.
- Your level may be higher than average, although not high enough to mean you have diabetes. This condition is called impaired glucose tolerance(IGT), and your medical advisers will want to keep an eye on you because there is a possibility of developing diabetes and do not need any other specific treatment.
- Your blood glucose level will be sufficiently raised to indicate that you do have diabetes, and you will need to see your doctor to discuss what treatment you need.
Urine Tests
Doctors have simple kits to check whether there is glucose in your urine, but a sample will probably be sent to the lab for analysis. As well as analysing the sample of the presence of glucose, the lab will also check for ketones, acidic compounds, produced when body fat instead of carbohydrate is used as fuel.
After you have been diagnosed, you will be taught all that you need to know about doing your part in managing your condition, including monitoring your blood glucose and if appropriate, injecting insulin. You will be taught the importance of eating the right food to control blood glucose, losing weight if necessary and advice on how to adjust your daily meals.
The experts can advise you, but it is up to you to be a partner in your own care. Controlling diabetes requires a considerable degree of commitment, but the effort is worthwhile.
