Tests
for pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes
is usually diagnosed by a doctor using one of the
following two tests:
Oral
Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
The OGTT
is a screening test that involves testing the individual's
plasma glucose level following a glucose-rich drink
(a beverage containing 75 grams of glucose.) People
who have IGT or pre-diabetes will have a plasma glucose
level of less than 200 mg/dl but equal to or greater
then 140 mg/dl. Those people who have a plasma glucose
level over or equal to 200 mg/dl after two hours will
be diagnosed with diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose
test is used to diagnose diabetes, however.
Fasting
plasma Glucose Test (FGT)
FGT is
a test that screens for diabetes and pre-diabetes.
The test works by measuring the level of glucose in
the individual's blood after a period of fasting.
Anyone who is at a high risk of pre-diabetes should
be given the FGT. Risk factors include obesity, ethnicity,
family history, etc. See pre-diabetes for more information.
The fasting plasma glucose test is performed after
a person fasts for at least 8 hours. Individuals who
have blood glucose level greater than or equal to
126 mg/dl will be retested and if the results are
consistent diagnosed with diabetes. Those with less
than 126 mg/dl but greater than 110 mg/dl will be
diagnosed as having impaired fasting glucose, or pre-diabetes.
