Diabetes Tests

Blood sugar testing plays a critical role in the diagnosis and management of diabetes.

In fact, a diagnosis of diabetes can only be confirmed through a blood test. Testing options include random glucose testing, fasting glucose testing, or oral glucose tolerance testing.

For people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, blood sugar testing is key to managing their condition and preventing health problems and complications of diabetes.

Why Blood Sugar Testing Matters

Blood sugar testing reveals where your sugar (glucose) levels are on any given day or even hour. This information allows healthcare providers to determine if you have or are at risk for diabetes. For those already diagnosed with diabetes, it provides insight into how well a treatment plan, including healthy lifestyle with or without medications, is working. Following your blood sugar levels provides you feedback on how lifestyle changes are working or your provider feedback on possible medication changes,

When to Get Blood Sugar Levels Tested

Your provider may recommend a blood test routinely to monitor for onset of diabetes or if you have symptoms of diabetes, including:

• Fatigue
• Increased urination and thirst
• Increased hunger
• Weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling
• An increased number of skin tags
• A velvet-like rash on the back of the neck or under the arms
• Slow-healing sores or infections
• Bedwetting in children who were previously sleeping dry
• Increased irritability in children

If you have diabetes, your provider will tell you how often to check your blood sugar levels. The type of diabetes you have and your treatment plan will impact the timing, frequency, and type of testing recommended.

Testing and Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

There are several testing options for diagnosing diabetes and monitoring blood glucose levels over time.

Blood Sugar Tests for Diagnosing Diabetes

Diagnostic tests used to determine if someone has diabetes or prediabetes include:

• Random blood sugar test: checks glucose levels at a random time. Often used when symptoms are present.
• Fasting blood sugar test: measures your blood sugar levels after fasting overnight.
• Oral glucose tolerance test: assesses the body’s response to glucose after a period of fasting. Commonly used to check for diabetes during pregnancy

Blood Sugar Monitoring for Diabetes Management

Once diabetes is diagnosed, self-monitoring of blood sugar levels is essential for managing the condition effectively. Regular monitoring offers insight into how factors such as diet, exercise, and medication affect blood sugar levels. This information is crucial for adjusting treatment plans to maintain optimal glucose control and prevent complications associated with diabetes.

Common methods for monitoring blood sugar levels include:

• Glucose meters and test strips: Involves using a tiny needle, called a lancet, to draw a small blood sample from your fingertip. The blood is collected on a test strip that is then inserted in a glucose monitor, which provides an immediate reading of your levels. Testing can be performed several times a day, depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): A CGM involves inserting a tiny sensor under the skin to measure glucose levels 24 hours a day. The measurement is transmitted to and displayed on a receiver or smartphone. A CGM can alert you when your blood sugar is too high or too low, help you identify trends and patterns in your levels, and help you and your provider make decisions regarding your treatment plan and lifestyle choices.

Your provider may also recommend regular A1C testing .

Performed using a standard blood draw or finger prick, an A1C test provides an overview of your average blood sugar levels for the past several months. In some cases, A1C testing can help your provider monitor your diabetes treatment, or determine your risk of developing diabetes complications.