In this article
Getting a Diagnosis
Your doctor can test your blood for signs of diabetes. Usually doctors will test you on two different days to confirm the diagnosis. But if your blood glucose is very high or you have a lot of symptoms, one test may be all you need.
A1C: It's like an average of your blood glucose over the past 2 or 3 months.
Fasting plasma glucose: This measures your blood sugar on an empty stomach. You won't be able to eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours before the test.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): This checks your blood glucose before and 2 hours after you drink a sweet drink to see how your body handles the sugar.
Long-Term Effects
Over time, high blood sugar can damage and cause problems with your:
- Heart and blood vessels
- Kidneys
- Eyes
- Nerves, which can lead to trouble with digestion, the feeling in your feet, and your sexual response
- Wound healing
- Pregnancy
The best way to avoid these complications is to manage your diabetes well.
- Take your diabetes medications or insulin on time.
- Check your blood glucose.
- Eat right, and don't skip meals.
- See your doctor regularly to check for early signs of trouble.