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The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.
Prediabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels that are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. But the condition often progresses to type 2 diabetes .
In order to detect prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends the following guidelines:
If the results are normal for both adults and children, the ADA recommends screening again in three years.
The HbA1c test is a good indicator of your average blood glucose levels over the past 2-4 months. This test usually does not require any dietary restrictions.
| Diagnosis | HbA1c Level |
|---|---|
| Prediabetes | 5.7%-6.4% |
| Diabetes | 6.5% or higher |
With this blood test, you need to fast (not eat anything) for at least eight hours before the test.
| Diagnosis | Fasting Plasma Glucose Level |
|---|---|
| Prediabetes | 100-125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L) |
| Diabetes | 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher |
After fasting overnight, the doctor tests your glucose level. You are then asked to drink 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Two hours later, the doctor tests your glucose level again.
| Diagnosis | Glucose Levels |
|---|---|
| Prediabetes | 140-199 mg/dL (7.8-11 mmol/L) |
| Diabetes | 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher |
References:
Diabetes mellitus type 2. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/ . Updated August 2, 2012. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Diabetes statistics. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/?loc=DropDownDB-stats . Accessed December 31, 2012.
Glucose. Lab Tests Online website. Available at: http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/glucose/tab/test . Updated March 23, 2012. Accessed December 31, 2012.
Prediabetes. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/ . Updated August 2, 2012. Accessed December 31, 2012.
2/15/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes—2010. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(suppl 1:S11-61).
2/15/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2010;33(suppl 1:S62-69).
Last reviewed November 2012 by Kim Carmichael, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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