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Diabetes: Introduction
DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES
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What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. People with diabetes have problems converting food to energy. After a meal, food is broken down into a sugar called glucose, which is carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Cells use insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, to help them convert blood glucose into energy. People develop diabetes because the pancreas does not make enough insulin or because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly, or both. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved of energy. Over the years, high blood glucose, also called hyperglycemia, damages nerves and blood vessels, which can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation. Types of Diabetes The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
To move away from basing the names of the two main types of diabetes on treatment or age at onset, an American Diabetes Association expert committee recommended in 1997 universal adoption of simplified terminology. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) agrees.
What is pre-diabetes? In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be characterized as diabetes. However, many people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, people with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. [Top] How are diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed? The following tests are used for diagnosis:
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test The FPG is the preferred test for diagnosing diabetes due to convenience and is most reliable when done in the morning. Results and their meaning are shown in table 1. If your fasting glucose level is 100 to 125 mg/dL, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired fasting glucose (IFG), meaning that you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A level of 126 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
* confirmed by repeating the test on a different day. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Research has shown that the OGTT is more sensitive than the FPG test for diagnosing pre-diabetes, but it is less convenient to administer. The OGTT requires you to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Your plasma glucose is measured immediately before and 2 hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Results and what they mean are shown in table 2. If your blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dL 2 hours after drinking the liquid, you have a form of pre-diabetes called impaired glucose tolerance or IGT, meaning that you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes but do not have it yet. A 2-hour glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, confirmed by repeating the test on another day, means that you have diabetes.
* confirmed by repeating the test on a different day. Gestational diabetes is also diagnosed based on plasma glucose values measured during the OGTT. Blood glucose levels are checked four times during the test. If your blood glucose levels are above normal at least twice during the test, you have gestational diabetes. Table 3 shows the above-normal results for the OGTT for gestational diabetes.
Note: Some laboratories use other numbers for this test. For additional information about the diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes, see the NIDDK booklet What I Need to Know About Gestational Diabetes. Random Plasma Glucose Test A random blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or more, plus presence of the following symptoms, can mean that you have diabetes:
Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger, and sores that do not heal. Your doctor will check your blood glucose level on another day using the FPG or the OGTT to confirm the diagnosis. [Top] What factors increase my risk for type 2 diabetes? To find out your risk, check each item that applies to you.
BMI is a measure used to evaluate body weight relative to height. You can use BMI to find out whether you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Use table 4 to find your BMI.
The number at the top of that column is your BMI. Check the word above your BMI to see whether you are normal weight, overweight, or obese. If you are overweight or obese, talk with your doctor about ways to lose weight to reduce your risk of diabetes or pre-diabetes. Table 4. Body Mass Index Click here for a printer-friendly version in PDF [Top] When should I be tested for diabetes? Anyone 45 years old or older should consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and your BMI indicates that you are overweight (see table 4), it is strongly recommended that you get tested. If you are younger than 45, are overweight, and have one or more of the risk factors, you should consider testing. Ask your doctor for a FPG or an OGTT. Your doctor will tell you if you have normal blood glucose, pre-diabetes, or diabetes. If your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range (called pre-diabetes), have your blood glucose checked in 1 to 2 years. [Top] What steps can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes? A major research study, the Diabetes Prevention Program, confirmed that people who followed a low-fat, low-calorie diet, lost a modest amount of weight, and engaged in regular physical activity (walking briskly for 30 minutes, five times a week, for example) sharply reduced their chances of developing diabetes. These strategies worked well for both men and women and were especially effective for participants aged 60 and older. For additional information about how you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, see the NIDDK booklet Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Also, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers several booklets as part of its "Small Steps, Big Rewards" campaign on preventing type 2 diabetes, including information on setting goals, tracking progress, implementing a walking program, and finding additional resources. [Top] How is diabetes managed? If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can manage it with meal planning, physical activity, and, if needed, medications. For additional information about taking care of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, see the NIDDK booklet Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. [Top] Points to Remember
For More Information National Diabetes Education Program 1 Diabetes Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3600 Phone: 1-800-438-5383 Fax: 703-738-4929 Internet: www.ndep.nih.gov American Diabetes Association National Service Center 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 Phone: 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) Fax: 703-549-6995 Email: askada@diabetes.org Internet: www.diabetes.org American Association of Diabetes Educators 100 West Monroe, Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: 1-800-338-3633 or 312-424-2426 Diabetes Educator Access Line: 1-800-TEAMUP4 (832-6874) Fax: 312-424-2427 Email: aade@aadenet.org Internet: www.diabeteseducator.org Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International 120 Wall Street New York, NY 10005-4001 Phone: 1-800-533-2873 or 212-785-9500 Fax: 212-785-9595 Email: info@jdrf.org Internet: www.jdrf.org [Top] |
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