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What Is the Test for Undiagnosed Diabetes Like?

Doctors use blood tests that measure blood sugar to diagnose diabetes. The three tests most commonly used to diagnose diabetes are the fasting blood glucose test, the glucose tolerance test and the A1C test.

  1. Time Frame

    • The fasting blood glucose test measures current blood sugar levels. The A1C test measures blood sugar trends in the last two to three months. The glucose tolerance test measures your body's ability to process sugar.

    Warning

    • For the fasting blood glucose test and the glucose tolerance test, do not eat for at least eight to 12 hours before the test. The A1C test does not require any fasting.

    Procedure

    • With a fasting blood glucose test or the A1C test, a medical professional draws blood from your arm and sends it to a lab for analysis.

    Alternative

    • With a glucose tolerance test, you drink a sugary liquid given by a doctor. In two hours, you return to the doctor to determine your blood sugar levels.

    Misconception

    • It is not necessary for the doctor to perform all three tests for a diagnosis of diabetes. Only one test is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

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