Topic
Early detection
The signs to watch for and the tests that give a clear answer.
7 articles in this topic
Detecting diabetes early
Finding diabetes early means asking four different questions: who is at risk, who might have it now, does a test confirm it, and which type is it.
3 minEasy readEstablished
Symptoms: signals, mechanisms, and blind spots
Common signs are thirst, peeing a lot, hunger, tiredness, blurry sight and slow healing. But many people have no signs at first.
3 minEasy readEstablished
HbA1c: a record written in red blood cells
HbA1c is a blood test that shows your average sugar over the last few months. Sugar sticks to a protein in red blood cells, and the test measures how much has stuck.
2 minEasy readEstablished
Fasting plasma glucose: the overnight system check
A fasting glucose test measures the sugar in your blood after at least eight hours without food. It shows how well the liver and body handle sugar overnight.
2 minEasy readEstablished
The oral glucose tolerance test
An OGTT is a test where you drink a measured sugar drink and have your blood sugar checked two hours later. It shows how the body handles a challenge.
2 minEasy readEstablished
Continuous glucose monitoring: useful data, defined limits
A CGM is a small sensor worn on the body that reads sugar in the fluid under the skin all day and night, showing trends and alarms.
2 minEasy readEstablished
The other tests: what they can and cannot tell you
Many other tests help with cause, emergencies and related health, but they do not by themselves diagnose diabetes.
2 minMedium readEstablished