Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Can You Diagnose Diabetes At Home

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When Should Testing Occur

Diagnose Diabetes At Home. Super Simple!

A doctor might recommend testing at three different times, and often over the course of several days:

  • Morning fasting reading: This provides information about blood glucose levels before a person eats or drinks anything. Taking blood glucose readings before eating provides a baseline number. This number offers clues about glucose processes during the day.
  • Before a meal: Blood glucose before a meal tends to be low, so a high blood glucose reading at this time suggests difficulties managing blood sugar.
  • After a meal: Post-meal testing gives a good idea about how the body reacts to food, and if sugar can reach the cells efficiently. Blood glucose readings after a meal can help diagnose gestational diabetes, which happens during pregnancy. Most doctors recommend testing about 2 hours after a meal.

The doctor will personalize the glucose monitoring schedule for the individual.

  • Fasting : 80â130 milligrams per deciliter
  • Before meals: 70â130 mg/dl
  • Two hours after starting meals: Below 180 mg/dl
  • At bedtime: Under 120 mg/dl
  • HbA1c: 7.0 percent or lower

Before beginning home testing, it is important that people get clear, target figures from their doctor.

Target numbers may vary from person to person and may change over time, depending on an individualâs health, age, weight, and other factors.

For people who do not have diabetes, blood sugar levels should be within the following ranges:

The Only Way You Can Find Out If You Or A Loved One Has Diabetes Is From Blood Tests That Measure You Blood Glucose Levels These Can Be Arranged Through Your Gp

A diagnosis of diabetes is always confirmed by laboratory results. Youll usually get the results of your blood test back in a few days. If you have symptoms that came on quickly and youve been taken into hospital, the results should come back in an hour or two.

A finger prick test using a home testing kit may show you have high blood sugar levels but won’t confirm you have diabetes.

A normal blood test result will show you don’t have diabetes. But the result will also show if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Why Do Pregnant Women Need To Be Screened For Diabetes

During pregnancy, some women develop a type of diabetes known as gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes happens to about 48% of all pregnant women. It can lead to problems for both mother and baby if it is not treated. This is why all pregnant women should be screened for diabetes. Read more about gestational diabetes.

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When Is Regular Blood Glucose Testing At Home Recommended

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For people with type 2 diabetes, regular testing of blood glucose levels at home using a blood glucose test meter is generally not needed unless you are:

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At Home Diabetic Test: A1c Kits

Another method to test for diabetes at home is the At Home A1C kit. These kits test the hemoglobin A1C and give a three-month average of your blood sugar. A normal A1C should be under 5.7%. When purchasing an at-home A1C kit, make sure that it offers results within five minutes. Some of the at-home kits require sending a blood sample to a lab and waiting for three to six weeks for the results.

If any of the tests above show presence of glucose or a high sugar level that falls in the diabetic range, it is time to consult a doctor. But if your test results show you are negative for diabetes or if you have pre-diabetes, you can take steps to reduce your risk of the disease by:

  • Losing weight. Research shows that reducing your body weight by five to 10 percent 10 to 20 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
  • Eating right. Your diet should be rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein sources. Limit foods high in saturated and trans-fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars.
  • Exercising regularly. Work up to at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Always check with your doctor before you increase your activity.

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Blood Tests Used To Diagnose Diabetes

We will explain below the different blood tests that could be used to diagnose your diabetes. Your doctor will ask you about any symptoms you have and will then decide which type of blood test to use.

Having blood tests doesn’t need to be worrying, theyre straightforward and shouldnt take very long. Depending on the test you have you may be required to fast beforehand. If you do need to fast, a healthcare professional will let you know in advance.

Also Check: Grocery Shopping List For Type 2 Diabetes

What Test Numbers Tell Me If I Have Diabetes Or Prediabetes

Each test to detect diabetes and prediabetes uses a different measurement. Usually, the same test method needs to be repeated on a second day to diagnose diabetes. Your doctor may also use a second test method to confirm that you have diabetes.

The following table helps you understand what your test numbers mean if you are not pregnant.

Diagnosis
200 or above

aGlucose values are in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL.

bAt 2 hours after drinking 75 grams of glucose. To diagnose gestational diabetes, health care professionals give more glucose to drink and use different numbers as cutoffs.

Source: Adapted from American Diabetes Association. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2016 39:S14S20, tables 2.1, 2.3.

Tips For Accurate Testing

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The fingers traditionally offer the most accurate results. Some tests allow you to prick your thigh or arm, but you need to check with your doctor before doing so.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor will likely recommend a few tests per day if you take insulin .

Ask your doctor if and how often you should test yourself if you dont take insulin.

You may consider testing before and after meals to see how your diet affects blood glucose. Its especially important to test after eating simple carbohydrates or sugary foods to make sure your glucose isnt too high.

Its also important to test whenever you make a change to your treatment plan or if you feel youre getting sick.

A blood glucose chart is essential for tracking your results. Whether you keep track of your readings on paper or electronically, having this information can help you identify patterns and potential problems.

You should save your charts and take them to your next visit with the doctor. When writing down your results, also be sure to log:

  • the date and time of the test
  • any medications youre taking, as well as the dosage
  • whether the test was before or after a meal
  • foods you ate
  • any workouts you did that day and when you did them

Also Check: What Is Considered Uncontrolled Diabetes

What Can Affect My Results

They may not be accurate if you have anemia or gout. If itâs hot, humid, or youâre at a high altitude, that can interfere with the results, too. So can vitamin C.

If you consistently see results that arenât expected, recalibrate your meter and check the strips.

The chart below shows you the ideal blood sugar ranges for most adults except for pregnant women. Your ideal range may be different from another person’s and will change throughout the day, so check with your doctor for your targets.

Time of Test

How Do I Know If I Have Diabetes

Work through a series of simple questions designed to deduce whether you’re showing the common symptoms of diabetes.

Can’t see the quiz?

Diabetes is on the rise, with 4.6 million adults currently diagnosed with the condition in the UK alone, according to Diabetes UK. Around 10% of sufferers have type 1 diabetes – an autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin. However, 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes, usually caused by poor diet and lifestyle choices .

Also Check: Normal Bgl Range For Type 2 Diabetes

Get The Support You Need

Diabetes Canada is here to help provide information and support so that you can live a healthy life. A positive and realistic attitude toward your diabetes can help you manage it. Talking to other people with diabetes is a great way to learn, and to feel less alone.

Your health-care team is there to help you. Depending on your needs and the resources available in your community, your team may include a family doctor, diabetes educator , endocrinologist, pharmacist, social worker, exercise physiologist, psychologist, foot-care specialist, eye-care specialist. They can answer your questions about how to manage diabetes and work with you to adjust your food plan, activity and medications.

Keeping You Safe When You Visit Us

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We politely ask you to wear a face covering if youre using one of our pharmacy services

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What Is Blood Glucose Testing

The term blood glucose generally refers to the amount of glucose in your blood. Blood glucose testing is done when a healthcare provider needs to see if a person has diabetes, or how well they are managing their diabetes. People who are diagnosed with diabetes need to check their blood glucose often to make sure their diabetes is in control.

To diagnose and monitor diabetes, healthcare providers test plasma glucose levels or the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in your bloodstream with a laboratory test. People who have diabetes test their plasma glucose with a portable meter at home.

Both the fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c tests are used to diagnose diabetes in nonpregnant adults. For an accurate diagnosis, all results must be confirmed by a second test on a different day.

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How Do I Test My Blood Sugar

The usual blood sugar test involves pricking your finger with a small needle called a lancet, putting a drop of blood on a test strip, and using a meter that displays your blood sugar level. Blood sugar meters and test strips are available at your local pharmacy, through mail order, or through your health care provider. There are many different types of meters. Your health care provider can help you select the meter that is best for you. Some insurance companies might cover the cost of these supplies. Call your insurance company if you have any questions.

When To Call Your Healthcare Provider

How To Test For Diabetes At Home
  • Youve had a fever for a couple of days and arent getting better.
  • Youve been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than six hours.
  • You have a fever higher than 101.5°F or a fever that lasts for more than 24 hours.
  • You have a fasting blood glucose level of 240 mg/dL or higher for more than 24 hours.
  • You have moderate to large amounts of ketones in your urine. If you cant reach your healthcare provider, or if you have large amounts of ketones in your urine, get emergency care.
  • You begin to notice problems like confusion or dehydration .
  • You arent sure what to do to take care of yourself.

You have high blood glucose , and

  • You cant control your hyperglycemia, in spite of taking action to correct it.
  • You have two or three readings in a row with results of 240 mg/dL or higher.
  • You have more than two unexplained episodes of hyperglycemia in a week.
  • You have repeated high glucose readings during a particular time of day.
  • You have moderate to large amounts of ketones in your urine. If you cant reach your healthcare provider, or if you have large amounts of ketones in your urine, get emergency care.

You have low blood glucose , and

  • You cant control your hypoglycemia, in spite of taking action to correct it.
  • You have two or three readings in a row with results of 70 mg/dL or less.
  • You have more than two unexplained episodes of hypoglycemia in a week.
  • You have repeated low glucose readings during a particular time of day.

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Getting Tested For Diabetes

If you are worried about diabetes or think a loved one may be affected, your doctor will need to do blood tests to measure the glucose in your blood.

Your GP can arrange blood tests and send the samples to the pathology laboratory for analysis if you are well in yourself. The results will usually come back in 1-3 days.

If you are acutely unwell, you will need to be seen as an emergency. Call 111, seek an urgent appointment with your GP or attend your local accident and emergency department. If you are in hospital, the team can send the sample to the hospital laboratory, and you should have the results in under two hours.

What Happens During A Diabetes Test

There are several ways to screen for and diagnose diabetes. Most tests involve measuring glucose levels in the blood.

To get a blood sample, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

The different types of glucose blood tests include:

  • Blood glucose test, also known as fasting blood glucose. Before the test, you will need to fast for eight hours before the test. This test is often used as a screening test for diabetes. It may be repeated to confirm a diagnosis.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test . This test also requires fasting before the test. When you arrive for your test, a blood sample will be taken. You will then drink a sugary liquid that contains glucose. About two hours later, another blood sample will be taken.
  • Random blood sugar. This test can be taken at any time. No fasting is required.
  • Hemoglobin A1c . This test measures the average amount of glucose attached to hemoglobin over the past 3 months. Hemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. No fasting is required for this test.

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Complications Of Undiagnosed Diabetes

Having undiagnosed diabetes means that your body is not metabolizing sugar properly, which leads to elevated levels of sugar in the blood.

Elevated blood sugar can also cause acute conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome . Both conditions are emergency situations and should be treated right away in a hospital.

When blood sugars are elevated for an extended period of time without being treated, long-term complications will occur. An excess of sugar can affect the small and large vessels in the body, which can cause problems in organs all over the body.

Some of these complications include retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, periodontal disease, and peripheral vascular disease. These complications can reduce the quality of life.

Multiple conditions often go in hand in hand or contribute to one another. But, with detection and screening, people can receive adequate treatment and reduce the risk of these complications.

People with gestational diabetes can have healthy pregnancies. However, without proper diagnosis and intervention, gestational diabetes can lead to serious conditions, such as birth defects, having an extra-large baby , preeclampsia , C-section, stillbirth, and hypoglycemia .

The ADA offers a 60-second risk assessment screening you can use. Keep in mind that this risk assessment is specifically for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

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