How is diabetes diagnosed?

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are overt. However, as type 2 diabetes develops gradually, symptoms of type 2 diabetes may go unnoticed for several years.

Initially urine may be tested to see if there is glucose present.

Blood tests are then used to measure the level of glucose in the blood. These may include:

• Fasting plasma glucose test

The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) measures the amount of glucose in the blood when the person has had no food or drink for at least 8 hours.

• Oral glucose tolerance test

Another common blood test is called the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in which, following at least 8 hours without food and 2 hours after a glucose-containing drink, the amount of glucose in the blood is measured.

• Random plasma glucose test

During this test, the doctor checks the blood glucose, regardless of when the last meal was eaten. Along with an assessment of symptoms, this test may be used to diagnose diabetes but not pre-diabetes.

If you feel you may be at risk of diabetes, please talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or dietitian.