Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by increased blood sugar concentration. It is important to detect the first signs as early as possible, so that we can benefit from an appropriate treatment, to prevent the development of complications.
Overweight people show an increased risk for diabetes PHOTO Archive Adevarul
Medical specialists recommend the following types of tests to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes:
1. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) – HbA1c ≥ 6.5%;
2. Fasting blood glucose (without food) ≥ 126 mg/dl, in the absence of caloric intake for at least 8 hours;
3. Blood glucose at 2 hours (during the TTGO- oral glucose tolerance test) ≥ 200 mg/dl; TTGO is performed using 75 grams of dissolved anhydrous glucose
4. Glucose measured occasionally (incidentally), in a patient with characteristic symptoms of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis.
“The characteristic symptoms for hyperglycemia are polydipsia (Polydipsia is the symptom manifested by the feeling of excessive thirst that is frequently associated with polyuria secondary to increased water intake), polyuria (frequent urination), polyphagia (also known as hyperphagia, is a medical term that describes extreme hunger and lack of satiety), unexplained weight loss. Confirmation of the diagnosis of diabetes requires two positive tests from the same sample or from different samples, except in cases where the diagnosis is clear (hyperglycemic crisis or classic symptoms of hyperglycemia, in the presence of glycemic values ≥ 200 mg/dl)”transmitted Bianca Făsui, diabetes specialist, nutrition and metabolic diseases, Diabetes Cabinet from the Integrated Outpatient Department of the Târgu-Jiu County Emergency Hospital.
Bianca Făsui, specialist diabetes mellitus nutrition PHOTO Hospital Gorj
If the results of two different tests are discordant, the recommendation is to repeat the test that exceeds the diagnostic threshold value, and the diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed based on it.
Prediabetes-patient at risk of developing diabetes
Prediabetes should be considered a condition associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For its identification, the same screening methods are used as for diabetes.
The criteria of the American Diabetes Association recommend testing for diabetes in overweight people who have additional risk factors for diabetes:
– First-degree relatives with diabetes;
– High-risk ethnic/racial group (African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, etc.);
– History of cardiovascular diseases;
– Hypertension (≥ 140/90 mmHg or antihypertensive therapy);
– HDLc < 35 mg/dl and/or triglycerides > 250 mg/dl
– Sedentarism;
– Women with polycystic ovary syndrome;
– Other clinical conditions associated with insulin resistance (eg acanthosis nigricans).
“People with a previous diagnosis of GZD will be tested at least every three years throughout their lives. For all other people, screening starts at age 35. If results are normal, testing should be repeated every three years, but more frequent testing may be considered depending on initial results and risk status.”mentions specialist doctor Bianca Făsui.
