Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWho Should Get Tested?A1C TestFasting Blood Sugar TestGlucose Screening TestGlucose Tolerance TestFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Diabetes GuideWhat is a Dangerous Blood Sugar Level?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Who Should Get Tested?
A1C Test
Fasting Blood Sugar Test
Glucose Screening Test
Glucose Tolerance Test
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Diabetes Guide
Diabetesis a chronic condition that can cause serious health issues likestrokeand heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37 million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with diabetes, and another 8.5 million people have yet to be diagnosed.
Testing for diabetes can screen for the condition and lead to an early diagnosis.
This article will discuss the different types of diabetes tests like A1C and fasting blood sugar. It will also cover diabetes symptoms and risk factors.
The US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening forprediabetesand type 2 diabetes for:
Risk Factors
Severalrisk factorsare linked to type 2 diabetes. They include:
The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are either related to lifestyle or genetics. While someone cannot change their genetic predisposition to a condition, they can make lifestyle changes that can reduce the likelihood of a diabetes diagnosis.
Causes and Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms
Thesymptoms of diabetescan be non-specific and hard to identify. They develop gradually over time, so someone may not notice the symptoms. Type 2 diabetes generally starts in adulthood but has been seen in more young adults and children in recent years.
Here are the symptoms of diabetes:
Anyone with diabetes symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for a diabetes test.
Unlike most diabetes tests which give a quick snapshot of a person’s blood sugar, theA1Cis a blood test that measures your blood sugar over a long period. An A1C is the average blood sugar level over two or three months.
A1C results inform a healthcare provider if someone is normal,prediabetic, or has diabetes. The results are as follows:
Afasting blood sugar testscreens for diabetes. To prepare for the test, one mustfast(no eating) the night before the blood test, or for eight to 12 hours. Drinking water is permitted. Fasting blood sugar test results are as follows:
A fasting blood sugar test looks at a person’s blood sugar levels to evaluate how well their body uses insulin. When someone eats, their blood sugar levels rise, and their body releases insulin. The insulin stores the sugar for energy later on. People who are diabetic or prediabetic do not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. As a result, their blood sugar levels will remain high after eating.
Aglucose screening testis often used in pregnant people to test forgestational diabetesbetween 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
If the test comes back at greater than 140 milligrams per deciliter, the person will need a glucose tolerance test for further evaluation.
Aglucose tolerance testis given if someone has a glucose level higher than 140 milligrams per deciliter.
The results of a glucose tolerance test two hours after the drink are as follows:
Random Blood Sugar Test
A random blood sugar test is exactly what it sounds like. Ablood sugar testthat is done at any time, without regard to what the person has eaten or drank.
A result of 200 milligrams per deciliter or higher indicates that the person hasdiabetes. A healthcare provider may do additional testing to confirm the result.
Summary
Several types of blood sugar tests are available to determine if someone has diabetes. Many tests require the person to fast (no eating) for a period before the test. Whereas others do not have any fasting requirements. A healthcare provider will interpret the results and determine if additional testing is necessary.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe normal range for blood sugar will depend on when the last time a person has eaten. A normal fasting blood sugar is less than 99 milligrams per deciliter. After meals, normal blood sugar is less than 140 milligrams per deciliter.Yes, a blood test that measure a person’s blood glucose levels can show if someone has diabetes. A healthcare provider can interpret the results and guide a person through the right treatment plan.Yes, normal blood sugar levels change as someone ages. When people get older, blood sugars are not as tightly controlled because they are at higher risk for developing low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).Learn MoreWhat Are Blood Sugar Levels for Older Adults?
The normal range for blood sugar will depend on when the last time a person has eaten. A normal fasting blood sugar is less than 99 milligrams per deciliter. After meals, normal blood sugar is less than 140 milligrams per deciliter.
Yes, a blood test that measure a person’s blood glucose levels can show if someone has diabetes. A healthcare provider can interpret the results and guide a person through the right treatment plan.
Yes, normal blood sugar levels change as someone ages. When people get older, blood sugars are not as tightly controlled because they are at higher risk for developing low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).Learn MoreWhat Are Blood Sugar Levels for Older Adults?
Yes, normal blood sugar levels change as someone ages. When people get older, blood sugars are not as tightly controlled because they are at higher risk for developing low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).
Learn MoreWhat Are Blood Sugar Levels for Older Adults?
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Force UPST, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: US preventive services task force recommendation statement.JAMA. 2021;326(8):736-743. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12531National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for diabetes.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes basics.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Force UPST, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: US preventive services task force recommendation statement.JAMA. 2021;326(8):736-743. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12531National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for diabetes.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes basics.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Force UPST, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: US preventive services task force recommendation statement.JAMA. 2021;326(8):736-743. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12531National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for diabetes.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes basics.
Force UPST, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: US preventive services task force recommendation statement.JAMA. 2021;326(8):736-743. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12531
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes tests & diagnosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for diabetes.
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes basics.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
Could You Have Undiagnosed Diabetes?Symptoms of Uncontrolled DiabetesWhat Are the Three P’s of Diabetes?Are You More Likely to Get Diabetes if It Runs in Your Family?Diabetes Test Results: Types of Tests and How to Read ThemWhat Is Considered a Dangerous Blood Sugar in Diabetes?Types of Doctors That Treat DiabetesManaging Diabetes: What You Should KnowLatest Medication Options for DiabetesSeeing an Endocrinologist for DiabetesDiabetes Side Effects and ComorbiditiesHow Untreated Diabetes Affects Your BodyKey Elements to Manage and Prevent Diabetes ComplicationsIs Diabetes a Disability?
Could You Have Undiagnosed Diabetes?
Symptoms of Uncontrolled Diabetes
What Are the Three P’s of Diabetes?
Are You More Likely to Get Diabetes if It Runs in Your Family?
Diabetes Test Results: Types of Tests and How to Read Them
What Is Considered a Dangerous Blood Sugar in Diabetes?
Types of Doctors That Treat Diabetes
Managing Diabetes: What You Should Know
Latest Medication Options for Diabetes
Seeing an Endocrinologist for Diabetes
Diabetes Side Effects and Comorbidities
How Untreated Diabetes Affects Your Body
Key Elements to Manage and Prevent Diabetes Complications
Is Diabetes a Disability?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
