Doctors may use a variety of blood tests to diagnose type 2 diabetes. To confirm a diagnosis, you’ll normally need to undergo testing at least twice. Due to their age or other risk factors, the majority of individuals have diabetes screenings.

Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) disease that develops when your body can’t utilize insulin properly or doesn’t create enough of it. As a consequence, your blood sugar may rise excessively high, which might eventually result in major health issues.

It’s wonderful news that type 2 diabetes can be controlled. Following a diagnosis, you and your doctor may create a treatment strategy to maintain your health. Early diagnosis and care are crucial to help avoid adverse results.

Continue reading to find out more about the early indicators of type 2 diabetes, the tests used to identify the disease, and what to anticipate throughout the testing procedure.

Types of Diabetes

  • Gestational diabetes, 
  • Type 1 diabetes, and 
  • Type 2 diabetes

are the three primary kinds of disease.

Pregnancy diabetes

When a pregnant woman has high blood sugar, gestational diabetes results. To lower the risk of problems for you or your baby, it’s critical to manage gestational diabetes carefully.

After the baby is delivered, gestational diabetes often disappears. However, type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop if you have gestational diabetes. Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels after delivery to make sure you don’t still have diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

In those with type 1 diabetes, the body does not create insulin. They must thus regularly take insulin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10% of all cases of diabetes (CDC). By early adulthood, it is often diagnosed.

Type 2 diabetes

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes has a distinct etiology. People with type 2 diabetes, unlike those with type 1, can make insulin, but their bodies don’t utilise it properly.

Of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, this type accounts for 90 to 95 percent. Diabetes with adult onset is another name for it. Type 2 diabetes may strike anybody at any age, however, it is more prevalent in those over the age of 45.

Speak with your doctor if you suspect that you may have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes that is not under control might lead to serious consequences like:

Diabetes
  • Amputating the legs or feet
  • blindness or vision issues
  • heart condition
  • renal illness
  • stroke

High cholesterol is also linked to type 2 diabetes. Your LDL or “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides may increase as a result, while your HDL or “good” cholesterol may decrease. Your risk of cardiovascular disease may rise as a result of these changes.

Despite the fact that diabetes is often well controlled, it’s crucial to adhere to your medication schedule. Diabetes is the seventh most common cause of mortality in the US, according to the CDC.

With therapy, many of the worst consequences of diabetes may be prevented. An early diagnosis is crucial for this reason.

Diabetes type 2 symptoms

Some persons who have observable diabetic symptoms get a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Earlier signs may include:

  • more frequent or greater urinating
  • heightened thirst
  • fatigue
  • hazy vision

Skin conditions Associated With Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes may also cause skin issues. Examples

  • Unhealing wounds. High blood sugar might slow skin healing. Infections and ulcers might result.
  • Darker, silky skin folds. Acanthosis nigricans affects the armpits, neck, hands, knees, groin, and elbows.
  • skin tags. These microscopic skin growths occur on eyelids, armpits, neck, and groin.
  • Raised lumps that become hard skin. Necorbiosis lipoidica may cause skin discoloration.
  • Fingers or toes have thick, rough skin. Digital sclerosis affects finger movement.
  • Yellow, irritating, pimple-like lumps. High triglycerides cause eruptive xanthomatosis. Diabetics often experience eruptive xanthomatosis. This condition also affects non-diabetics.
  • Spotty shins Diabetic dermopathy creates skin spots or lines.

These symptoms don’t necessarily mean diabetes. If you detect changes, see a doctor.

ways that physicians identify type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes symptoms often appear gradually. Blood tests are used by your doctor to confirm your diagnosis since you could or might not be experiencing symptoms.

The following blood tests may be performed to assess the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood:

  • Glycated hemoglobin test, or A1C
  • fasting blood glucose measurement
  • random test for plasma glucose
  • test of oral glucose tolerance

To verify your diagnosis, your doctor will ask for one or more blood tests. Unless you have obvious signs of diabetes, a test will often be performed many more instances to confirm the outcome.

What to anticipate from blood sugar tests

A lab technician, nurse, or other healthcare expert will use a tiny needle to extract a sample of your blood in order to perform a blood test. Next, the sample is sent to a lab for analysis.

You may need to be ready for certain diabetes testing. For instance, you could be instructed to fast (avoid eating and drinking) before to the test. You will get advice from your doctor on how to get ready for your testing.

Inform your doctor about any illnesses you may have and any drugs you’re taking, since these factors may alter the results of your blood sugar test. Additionally, confirm with your doctor if you are taking any drugs.

Who needs to get a type 2 diabetes test? 

Most often, regular screening tests are used to determine type 2 diabetes in patients. Routine screening include testing even if there are no outward indications or symptoms that you could have diabetes.

Diabetes screening is usually started around age 45. If you have any of the following, have any You should undergo screening sooner.

  • Blood pressure is high.
  • A cardiovascular condition
  • Are obese or overweight
  • Ovarian polcystichave any syndrome
  • Skin disorder acanthosis negricans
  • An inheritance of type 2 diabetes
  • A history of gestational diabetes or having had a child that weighed more than 9 pounds (4.1 killograms)
  • Asian, Native American, Alaska Native, Latino/Hispanic, or Pacific Islander ancestry
  • A high amount of triglycerides or a low level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol kilograms
  • A sedentary way of life

Blood tests are used as part of routine screening to look for diabetic symptoms.

Are test findings ever inaccurate?

Your test results can be different at first. For instance, an A1C test may reveal that you do not have diabetes even while a fasting plasma glucose test may indicate that you have. The opposite is also sometimes true.

What causes this to occur? It could indicate that you have diabetes in its early stages since your blood sugar levels might not always be high enough to show up on tests. Some blood sugar test results might change from day to day depending on a number of variables, including stress or sickness.

Keep in mind that your doctor will usually order another test to verify your diagnosis.

If you have any questions, reservations, or worries regarding your findings, you should never hesitate to ask further questions or seek a second opinion.

Treatment preparation

Once you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may work with your physician to develop a treatment strategy. This may include a strategy for:

  • Wholesome weight loss
  • Alterations to your diet
  • Medication
  • Routine blood sugar monitoring

It’s crucial to attend all of your scheduled medical visits and treatments. Discuss your blood sugar target and how often you should test your blood sugar with your doctor. Regularly checking your blood sugar and keeping track of your symptoms is crucial for your long-term health.


What To Expect

Type 2 diabetes is now incurable. But there are several efficient treatment choices, making this ailment quite manageable.

Consult your doctor about being tested if you are over 45, showing signs of diabetes, or have a health issue that raises your chance of developing the disease.

Taking the exams and comprehending your test findings is the first step. It’s crucial to discuss your findings with your physician. Your doctor will often need to test you more than once in order to confirm your diagnosis.

When you are told you have diabetes, engage with your doctor to create a personalized treatment plan.

By adhering to your treatment plan, you may lessen the likelihood of developing diabetic problems.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/diagnosis#diagnosis