Diabetes is diagnosed when a blood glucose test measures more than 126 mg/dl (fasting) or 200 mg/dl (two hours after consuming a glucose drink) or a random blood glucose over 200 with diabetic symptoms. The test should be repeated to confirm results. Some doctors may order a glucose tolerance test, in which you drink a glucose solution and have your blood sugar tested before and every hour after for 4 hours. The hemoglobin A1C test is now approved for diagnosing diabetes (now used for diabetes management). An “A 1C” of 6.5 percent or greater is an indication of diabetes. People with risk factors for diabetes – family history, excess weight, high LDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides – should be tested regularly.
