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Measuring Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes may be diagnosised by several different tests. Most doctors use a blood test to determine whether you may have diabetes or not. The following chart lists the tests used to diagnose diabetes. Be aware that results must be confirmed by repeat testing on a different day.

Levels

Fasting Blood Glucose

Random Blood Glucose

Oral Glucose Tolerance

Normal

Less than 100mg/dL

Less than 140mg/dL after 2 hours

Pre-Diabetes

Greater than or equal to 100 and less than 126 mg/dL

Greater than or equal to 140 & less than 200mg/dL after 2 hours

Diabetes

Greater than or equal to 126mg/dL

Greater than or equal to 200mg/dL w/ symptoms

Greater than or equal to 200mg/dL after 2 hours

Gestational Diabetes

Greater than or equal to 95mg/dL (as part of OGTT)

Greater than or equal to 180mg/dL after 1 hour
Greater than or equal to 155mg/dL after 2 hours
Greater than or equal to 140mg/dL after 3 hours

Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher about how low or how high your blood glucose should get before you take action. For many people, blood glucose is too low below 70 mg/dL and too high above 240 mg/dL.

One other number to know is the result of a blood test your doctor does called the A1C. It shows your blood glucose control during the past 2 to 3 months. For most people, the target for A1C is less than 7 percent.

Brief Description of Tests

Fasting Blood Glucose Test: is the preferred test for diagnosis since it is easier and faster to perform, more convenient, and less expensive. Measured after you have not eaten for 8 hours.

Random Blood Glucose Test: is taken at any time without regard to food intake, but must then be accompanied by the presence of symptoms to diagnose diabetes.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (or OGTT):is taken after you have consumed a drink, containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water (100 grams are used to test for Gestational Diabetes).