That's why people with any risk factors are urged to ask their doctor if they should be screened. Being screened means getting tested when you don't have any symptoms.
Catching prediabetes early can help people prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Finding out they have type 2 diabetes—and taking action—can help people prevent or delay serious health complications.
Getting tested is simple and quick. Your blood will be drawn at your doctor's office or at a clinic so your blood sugar can be tested. Results are usually available quickly.
Keep Reading: Diabetes Risk FactorsAsk your doctor about getting tested for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes if you have any of the risk factors. If you had your blood sugar tested at a health fair or pharmacy, follow up with your doctor. Your doctor may want to re-test you to make sure the results are accurate.
If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, your blood may also be tested for autoantibodies. These substances show your body is attacking itself and are often found with type 1 diabetes but not with type 2.
You may have your urine tested for ketones. Ketones are produced when your body burns fat for energy. Having ketones in your urine indicates you have type 1 diabetes instead of type 2.
Gestational diabetes usually develops around the 24 th week of pregnancy. You'll probably be tested between 24 and 28 weeks.
If you're at higher risk for gestational diabetes, your doctor may test you earlier. If your blood sugar is higher than normal early in your pregnancy, you may not have gestational diabetes. You may have type 1 or type 2 diabetes instead.
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 or 3 months.
This measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast (not eating).
This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You'll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to measure your fasting blood sugar level. Then you'll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked. These checks usually happen at 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward.
This measures your blood sugar at the time you're tested. You can take this test at any time and don't need to fast (not eat) first.
This measures your blood sugar at the time you're tested. You'll drink a liquid that contains glucose. Then, 1 hour later your blood will be drawn to check your blood sugar level. A normal result is 140 mg/dL or lower. If your level is higher than 140 mg/dL, you'll need to take a glucose tolerance test.
This measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You'll fast (not eat) overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to measure your fasting blood sugar level. Then you'll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked. These checks usually happen at 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward.
Results can differ depending on the size of the glucose drink and how often your blood sugar is tested. Ask your doctor what your test results mean.
If your results show you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, talk with your doctor about a detailed treatment plan. Your plan should include:
