Exams and Tests

Diabetes is diagnosed by taking a detailed medical history, including a report of symptoms, and blood tests that measure the amount of glucose in the blood or how your body handles it.

There are several types of blood tests to check your sugar level:

• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c or A1c), or simple A1c gives an overall picture of your blood sugar level over the past two to three months
• Fasting glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood after you haven't had anything to eat or drink for eight hours
• Random blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood at any point during the day. Eating does not affect this test
• Oral glucose tolerance test checks your blood glucose levels before and two hours after you drink a special sweet drink to show how well your body processes glucose