Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test for Diabetes

What is a Hemoglobin A1c (Average Blood Sugar) Test? The Hemoglobin A1C Test  is also called HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin test, or glycoslated hemoglobin test is a common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes to determine how well your diabetes is being controlled.  According to American Diabetes Association, the test result of A1c reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically,...

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Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

What is Oral Glucose Tolerance Test? The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), also known as the glucose tolerance test, is a lab test to how your the body’s ability to metabolize glucose, or clear it out of the bloodstream. In this procedure the The patient is asked to take a glucose drink and their blood glucose level is measured before and at intervals after the sugary drink is taken. The test can be used to diagnose diabetes, gestational...

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How is the Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG) done?

According to American Diabetes Association that the Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) test is the preferred method for diagnosing diabetes, because it is easy to do, convenient, and less expensive than other tests. The FPG test measures blood glucose in a person who has fasted for at least 8 hours and is most reliable when given in the morning. The test results indicate whether your blood glucose level is normal or whether you have prediabetes or...

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How is Prediabetes Diagnosed?

Blood tests are used to diagnosis prediabetes because early in the disease type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms. All diabetes blood tests involve drawing blood at a health care provider’s office or commercial facility and sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Lab analysis of blood is needed to ensure test results are accurate. Glucose measuring devices used in a health care provider’s office, such as finger—stick devices, are not accurate enough for diagnosis but may be used as a quick indicator of high blood glucose. In June 2009, an...

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Prevention of Prediabetes

How to Prevent Prediabetes? In preventing prediabetes in your body, you must have a healthy lifestyle. It can help you to prevent prediabetes and its progression to type 2 diabetes even if your family history has already runs diabetes. Here are some tips to prevent prediabetes: Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk for prediabetes, so taking off extra weight is very important. Losing 5% to 10% of your body weight may help you prevent or at least delay type 2 diabetes.2 For example,...

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Complications of Prediabetes

Complications of Prediabetes Progression into type 2 diabetes is the most serious consequence of untreated prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes complications include: Amputation Blindness Diabetic Ketoacidosis Diabetic Neuropathy Diabetic Retinopathy Eating Disorders Erectile Dysfunctions Foot & Skin Problems Gastroparesis Gum Disease Heart Problems High Blood Pressure Infertility Insulin Shock Kidney Problems Seizures & Coma Peripheral Artery Disease Sexual Problems Urologic Problems Weight Gain Weight Loss << Risk Factors...

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Risk Factors of Prediabetes

What Factors Increase the Risk of Prediabetes? As I said in previous articles, people with prediabetes don’t have any signs or symptoms, it is important to be aware of the risk factors and have your blood glucose levels tested by your doctor if you are at risk.  Risk Factors Under Your Control Many risk factors to consider for prediabetes upon your weight. Here's the following beyond your control: Your Eating Habits: Eating more calories than you need to maintain a healthy weight puts you at risk for pre-diabetes. A diet high...

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Causes of Prediabetes

Causes of Prediabetes? Prediabetes occurs when your body isn't able to keep your blood sugar (glucose) at a normal level. Your sugar is higher than normal, but it's not high enough to be diabetes. The exact cause of prediabetes is still unknown, although researchers have discovered some genes that are related to insulin resistance. Excess fat and inactivity are to be considered as the important factors in the development of prediabetes. Most of the glucose in your body comes from the foods you eat, specifically foods that contain carbohydrates...

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Symptoms of Prediabetes

What are the Symptoms of Prediabetes? Although most people with prediabetes have no symptoms at all, symptoms of diabetes may include: Increased thirst Frequent urination Fatigue Blurred vision Darkened areas of skin, a condition called acanthosis nigricans, is one of the few signs suggesting you are at risk for diabetes. Common areas that may be affected include the neck, armpits, elbows, knees and knuckles. The doctor can test your blood to find out if your blood glucose levels are higher than normal. If you are 45 years old or older,...

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What is Prediabetes?

What is Prediabetes? Prediabetes also known as "impaired glucose tolerance" or “impaired fasting glucose,” is the state of  blood sugar (glucose) level is higher than normal, but it's not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Still, without intervention, prediabetes is likely to become type 2 diabetes in 10 years or less. And, a person with prediabetes don't have symptoms, but they are considered to be at high risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Prediabetes can be an opportunity to a person to improve  himself,...

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Gestational Diabetes

What is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy (gestation) - usually around the 24th week. About 2 and 10 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy. Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose) in your body's main fuel.  What causes Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy?  When...

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Type 2 Diabetes

Overview Type 2 diabetes mellitus, (formerly noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes), according to World Health Organization (WHO) Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children. In...

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Type 1 Diabetes

Overview Type 1 diabetes (also called juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus)  is occurs when the body's own immune system destroys the insulin- producing  beta cells of the pancreas. In this article, you'll learn the basics about type 1 diabetes, including symptoms and causes and complications. Two forms of the Type 1 Diabetes Idiopathic type 1 - refers to rare forms of the disease...

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