Testing for Type 2 Diabetes

Different professionals have different rules and guidelines as to when to screen for diabetes. Given the potential seriousness of the condition, it is generally recommended that patients over 45 should be screened, alongside patients under 45 with symptoms suggestive of the condition, these include:

• BMI greater than 20% of ideal BMI
• Increased risk of heart disease – high LDL, high BP, low HDL high LDL
• Certain ethnicities
• A family history of type 2 diabetes
• Women who have had gestational diabetes

Some practitioners will also consider screening children over 10 years old if they have more than two of the above.

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test

Diabetes is diagnosed using a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. It involves taking blood after a period of 8 hours of fasting. If the concentration of sugar in your blood is higher than 7mmol/L it usually means you are diabetic.

Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Another test that is frequently used in diagnosing diabetes is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This involves taking a sample of blood two hours after you have ingested a special solution of glucose. Levels of glucose in your blood over 200 mg/dL are usually indicative of diabetes.

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