Diagnosis
| Condition | 2 hour glucose | Fasting glucose | HbA1c |
|---|---|---|---|
| mmol/l(mg/dl) | mmol/l(mg/dl) | % | |
| Normal | <7.8 (<140) | <6.1 (<110) | <6.0 |
| Impaired fasting glycaemia | <7.8 (<140) | ≥ 6.1(≥110) & <7.0(<126) | 6.0–6.4 |
| Impaired glucose tolerance | ≥7.8 (≥140) | <7.0 (<126) | 6.0–6.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | ≥11.1 (≥200) | ≥7.0 (≥126) | ≥6.5 |
The World Health Organization definition of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) is for a single raised glucose reading with symptoms, otherwise raised values on two occasions, of either:
- fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/l (126 mg/dl)
- or
- with a glucose tolerance test, two hours after the oral dose a plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dl)
A random blood sugar of greater than 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dL) in association with typical symptoms or a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of greater than 6.5% is another method of diagnosing diabetes. In 2009 an International Expert Committee that included representatives of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) recommended that a threshold of ≥6.5% HbA1c should be used to diagnose diabetes. This recommendation was adopted by the American Diabetes Association in 2010. Positive tests should be repeated unless the person presents with typical symptoms and blood sugars >11.1 mmol/l (>200 mg/dl).
Threshold for diagnosis of diabetes is based on the relationship between results of glucose tolerance tests, fasting glucose or HbA1c and complications such as retinal problems. A fasting or random blood sugar is preferred over the glucose tolerance test, as they are more convenient for people. HbA1c has the advantages that fasting is not required and results are more stable but has the disadvantage that the test is more costly than measurement of blood glucose. It is estimated that 20% of people with diabetes in the United States do not realize that they have the disease.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. This is in contrast to diabetes mellitus type 1 in which there is an absolute insulin deficiency due to destruction of islet cells in the pancreas and gestational diabetes mellitus that is a new onset of high blood sugars in associated with pregnancy. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can typically be distinguished based on the presenting circumstances. If the diagnosis is in doubt antibody testing may be useful to confirm type 1 diabetes and C-peptide levels may be useful to confirm type 2 diabetes.
Read more about this topic: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2