Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed after using tests to measure blood sugar such as the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test.The A1C blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. The results for these tests are interpreted as such:
Below 5.7% is normal.
5.7% to 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes.
6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
In cases where the A1C test is not available or if you have certain conditions that interfere with the A1C test, your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes:
Random blood sugar test. This blood sugar test measures blood sugar values that are expressed in milligrams of sugar per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles of sugar per liter (mmol/L) of blood. If you measure a level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher it suggests diabetes, regardless of what time you ate, especially if you also have signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as extreme thirst and frequent urination.
Fasting blood sugar test. In this test there is a blood sample that is taken after an overnight fast. The results of this test is interpreted as follows:
Less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal.
100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is diagnosed as prediabetes.
126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests is diagnosed as diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test. This test is not as commonly used as the previous ones, except during pregnancy. For this test you will need to fast overnight and then drink a sugary liquid at the doctor's office. For this test blood sugar levels are tested periodically for two hours during the test. The results of the test are interpreted as such:
Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal.
140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) is diagnosed as prediabetes.
200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.
Screening. According to Ekoe et al. (2021) if you are age 40 years or over, you are at risk for type 2 diabetes and should be tested at least every 3 years.
People younger than 45 who are overweight or obese and have one or more risk factors associated with diabetes
Women who have had gestational diabetes
People who have been diagnosed with prediabetes
Children who are overweight or obese and who have a family history of type 2 diabetes or other risk factors
After a diagnosis
If you're diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor or health care provider may do other tests to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes as the two conditions often require different treatments.
Your health care provider will repeat the test A1C levels at least two times a year and when there are any changes in treatment. Target A1C goals vary depending on your age and other factors. For most people, the American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C level below 7%.
You will also receive regular diagnostic tests to screen for complications of diabetes or comorbid conditions.
Nutrition Recommendations and Interventions for Diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. (2006). Diabetes Care, 30(Supplement 1), S48-S65. doi: 10.2337/dc07-s048
Vera, M. (2021, September 20). 17 diabetes mellitus nursing care plans and nursing diagnoses. Nurseslabs. Retrieved from https://nurseslabs.com/diabetes-mellitus-nursing-care-plans/.
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