A doctor might recommend a diabetes check if they suspect that you have the condition. Diabetes is a family of diseases that hinders how the body uses sugar in the blood (glucose). Glucose is essential for health because it fuels the cells that make up a person’s tissues and muscles. It also serves as a source of fuel for the brain.
There are various causes of diabetes, leading to different forms of the disease. However, all types of diabetes lead to excess sugar in the blood, which can lead to a multitude of health issues.
A diabetes check can be used to diagnose the chronic forms of the disease: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes and prediabetes are reversible forms of the disease. The latter occurs when a person’s blood sugar is higher than it should be but is not high enough to count as diabetes. Prediabetes is typically a precursor to the chronic form unless appropriate steps are taken to reverse its progression. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, and it can go away on its own once the baby has been delivered.
The signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes can occur suddenly, and they often prompt blood sugar tests. Symptoms of other types of diabetes tend to develop more gradually over time, so it might take a while before they are noticed. Things that can prompt a doctor to recommend a diabetes test include:
Tests that a doctor might use to detect diabetes include the following.
These tests are used to estimate a patient’s blood sugar level for up to three months. They measure the percentage of blood sugar in the person’s hemoglobin. The higher a person’s blood sugar, the higher the concentration of sugar in their red blood cells will be.
This involves taking a random blood sample to evaluate the patient’s blood sugar. Anything more than 11.1 mmol/L typically indicates that a patient has diabetes.
This involves taking a blood sample after an overnight fast. Having blood sugar levels of more than 6.9 mmol/L after a fasting period is often a sign that a patient has diabetes.
This approach involves using a blood sugar test after a fasting period. The patient is given a glucose drink, and their blood sugar is tested periodically over the next couple of hours.
A urine test might be performed if a doctor suspects that a patient has type 1 diabetes. Tests are performed to look for ketones in the patient’s urine to determine if their body is using fat and muscle for energy instead of glucose.
Prediabetes can be managed, and early detection makes managing type 1 and 2 diabetes easier. Call or visit our Fairfax clinic to set up an appointment for diabetic screening.
Request an appointment here: https://millenniummedicalcare.com or call Millennium Medical Care at (703) 372-4429 for an appointment in our Fairfax office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Diabetes Check in Fairfax, VA.
Having an ear infection can be one of the most hurtful types of illnesses, and you may need to see your primary care doctor find relief. The pain that comes with an ear infection feels like no other. It can be debilitating at times. There are home remedies that have been around for generations that many…
Finding out what types of pediatric illnesses an urgent care center can treat is a great idea. As a parent, you just never know when your child is going to become ill or get sick, which means you should always be prepared. While it is ideal for you to be able to take your child to…
A mammogram is a type of examination that involves a very minimal amount of radiation to scan the breasts. This type of examination uses x-rays to take images of all aspects of the breast, ensuring that there are no warning signs that may indicate a problem, such as breast cancer. Women are recommended to start getting…
Wondering whether you can go to an urgent care center for primary health care reasons? Yes, you can. Urgent care centers often have the same types of medical professionals who offer primary care services at a medical clinic.Although urgent care centers tend to be well known for their convenience when it comes to addressing emergency…
Having an ear infection can be one of the most hurtful types of illnesses, and you may need to see your primary care doctor find relief. The pain that comes with an ear infection feels like no other. It can be debilitating at times. There are home remedies that have been around for generations that many…
Finding out what types of pediatric illnesses an urgent care center can treat is a great idea. As a parent, you just never know when your child is going to become ill or get sick, which means you should always be prepared. While it is ideal for you to be able to take your child to…