8 March 2019 Three parameters are used to make a diagnosis: Fasting blood sugar; Oral glucose tolerance test; Glycated haemoglobin. Watch the video below showing how diabetes is diagnosed. What is diabetes? Impaired sugar metabolism is the factor shared by the different clinical conditions we call diabetes mellitus. There is more than one disease called diabetes. We can classify diabetes into: Type 1 - when the patient is insulin dependent; Type 2 - when the patient is not insulin dependent, although people with type 2 diabetes may take insulin for better control. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. There are cases of diabetes resulting from other diseases or from medications. This is called secondary diabetes. There are rare cases of genetic diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease and most of the time it is silent. No two diabetic patients are the same. Diabetes depends on individual and behavioural factors , such as: Diet; Physical exercise; Schedules. The complications the disease can cause in the body’s organs are the greatest concern and can reduce life expectancy and quality of life. Managing diabetes and its complications involves: Personalised clinical monitoring; A multidisciplinary approach. What tests can be carried out to diagnose diabetes? Blood tests are used to diagnose diabetes. As we have mentioned, there are three laboratory parameters used for diagnosis. Fasting blood sugar Fasting blood sugar is the simplest test. If a person has two tests with blood sugar over 126 mg/dl or only one that is very high, the diagnosis is diabetes. If the figure is between 100 mg/dl and 126 mg/dl, the diagnosis is pre-diabetes. For these results to be valid, the patient should not be suffering from any acute disease at the time. Oral glucose tolerance test This test is the most accurate in detecting diabetes. After the patients’ fasting blood sugar is measured, they take a drink containing 75 grams of glucose. If their blood sugar level is higher than 200 mg/dl two hours later, the diagnosis is diabetes . If it is between 140 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl, it is pre-diabetes. Glycated haemoglobin The most controversial test is glycated haemoglobin, which measures average blood sugar over the last two to three months. Not all scientific communities accept this criterion, as it has a number of weaknesses. Those that accept it consider the diagnosis is diabetes with a result of 6.5% or more. This article was written with the support of physicians and other clinical professionals from the Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
