Testing for Type II Diabetes
Know Your Numbers
The American Diabetes Association defines Type II diabetes when a person’s blood sugar level, called “fasting blood glucose level“, reaches 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or above.
For a blood test to be accurate it requires the person to fast, which means to avoid eating or drinking anything, except water, for at least 8 hours. Otherwise, a cup of coffee or a snack will make the reading inaccurate. For most people it is best to have the test done in the morning before breakfast, when they’ve had a natural 8 hour wait from eating.
Normal Levels
A normal fasting glucose reading is between 80 and 100 mg/dl. If the reading is between 100 to 125 mg/dl, a person is said to be “pre-diabetic.” If a person is pre-diabetic they should begin to manage their diet as if they are diabetic to prevent their condition from getting worse. See the Diabetes Care Nutrition & Diet section for recommendations.
Can a person have a normal fasting level and still have diabetes?
Yes. After a meal containing large amounts of starchy foods, considered easily digested carbohydrates, such as rice, corn, potatoes, or bread, the blood sugar of a healthy person rises. The sugar level usually reaches 120 to 140 mg/dl after 1 to 2 hours, and then gradually falls during the third and fourth hours. For a diabetic, a meal with few starches can spike their blood glucose level so that it rises to 180 mg/dl or higher then returns to normal over a longer period of time.
That’s why it’s important if you have a normal fasting blood glucose level to still look for symptoms. See the Diabetes Care Symptoms section for additional information. If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should get medical advice and additional testing which checks for blood sugar over time.
How do I check for diabetes over time?
When sugar spikes are frequent enough, the sugar is not only in the blood but actually attaches to the blood cells. There is a lab test which checks to see how much blood, called “hemoglobin,” has sugar attached to it. This test, called “Glycohemoglobin A1c”, “HbA1c”, or just “A1c” for short, shows what percentage of blood has this condition.
The level does not change during the day but from 2-3 months depending on diet, exercise, and medication. So it does not require fasting before the test. Usually healthy people have an A1c of less than 5.7%
Those with pre-diabetes have 5.7%-6.4% and those with diabetes have 6.5% and above.
What do I do if my test comes back as pre-diabetic or diabetic?
If you have been tested and found to be pre-diabetic or diabetic, talk to your doctor about self-testing with a home glucose meter and setting goals for your daily blood glucose numbers. Learn more about the Health Benefits of GreenSilk Formula 1.
You will also want to manage your food and eating habits. See our Diabetes Care Nutrition & Diet and Tips for Healthy Living sections for suggestions