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Diagnosing diabetes

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Type 1 and 2 diabetes

Diabetes is diagnosed by measuring the levels of glucose in the blood. The normal fasting levels are between 3,3mmol/l and 5,9mmol/l.

The World Health Organization defines diabetes mellitus as a condition with one or more of the following criteria:

  • Fasting plasma glucose (plasma glucose measured before breakfast) over 6.7mmol/l on two separate occasions. 
  • Random plasma glucose (blood glucose measured at any time) over 10mmol/l.
  • Two-hour blood glucose during glucose tolerance test is over 10mmol/l. 
  • Corresponding values for plasma glucose are 7.8mml/l and 11.1mmol/l. 

Gestational diabetes
The same glucose levels are used in diagnosing gestational diabetes as in Types 1 and 2 diabetes. Depending on your risk and your test results, you may have one or more of the following tests:

  • Fasting blood glucose.
  • Random blood glucose test.
  • Screening glucose challenge test.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test.

Your blood glucose levels will be checked before the test. Then you will drink a sugary beverage. Your blood glucose levels will be checked one, two and three hours later. If your levels are above normal at least twice during the test, you have gestational diabetes.


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