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Tests for Diabetes

High blood sugar can damage parts of your body and cause serious illnesses if left untreated. It is important to check your blood sugar level on occasion to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

  1. Hemoglobin A1c

    • Also called HbA1c, this diabetes blood test tells you how well your diabetes is managed over time. To verify that your blood sugar is at a safe level, hemoglobin A1c measures your average blood sugar over the past three months.

    Dilated Eye Exam

    • Your optometrist can perform a dilated eye exam to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy.

    Retinopathy

    • High blood sugar can damage blood vessels within the retina. New blood vessels grow along the retina and in the vitreous that occupies the inside of the human eye. These new vessels can bleed, blur vision, damage the retina and even lead to blindness if left untreated.

    Foot Exam

    • As diabetes can cause numbness and nerve damage, it is critical to check to see that foot nerves and circulation are in a healthy state.

    Other Dibetes Tests

    • Other tests, recommended by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), include blood lipids tests, kidney function tests and frequent blood pressure checks.

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