The diagnosis of diabetes isWhat kind of tests are done and what numbers are required to be diagnosed with diabetes?
Are there people who feel anxious about being diagnosed with diabetes?
In this article, we will discuss the diagnosis of diabetes
table of contents
Diagnosis of diabetes
Diagnosis of diabetes is based on fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance test, and the presence or absence of diabetic complications
We will explain each one in detail
Measuring fasting blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose is very important in diagnosing diabetesAlthough it is difficult to diagnose diabetes based on fasting blood glucose alone, it is an important indicator
Fasting blood sugar: 100–109 mg/dL
Your fasting blood sugar is a little high
This number alone cannot be used to determine if you have diabetes. If this number continues, it may be a sign of a risk of developing diabetes in the future
Fasting blood sugar: 110-125mg/dL
When the numbers are high, you are on the verge of developing diabetes, a condition known as pre-diabetes
In this condition, detailed tests in addition to fasting blood glucose are required
In addition to blood glucose levels, HbA1c levels are also monitored
A normal HbA1c level is approximately 6%. If it exceeds 7%, the risk of diabetes increases, so it is important to keep HbA1c below 7%
HbA1c can also be elevated due to diseases other than diabetes, so it is necessary to conduct tests to check for other possible diseases
In addition to measuring HbA1c, people at risk of diabetes should also undergo a glucose tolerance test
*About glucose tolerance tests
Even if your fasting blood sugar is normal, your blood sugar may be high after eatingA glucose tolerance test is a test to determine whether your blood sugar levels are normal after eatingIf fasting blood sugar levels are normal, it is difficult to diagnose diabetes, so it can also detect hidden diabetes
[Testing method]
- You will come to the hospital without eating breakfast and your fasting blood sugar will be measured
- After that, you drink water with glucose dissolved in it (this is called glucose loading)
- Blood glucose levels are measured 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours after drinking the glucose
If blood glucose level after 2 hours is over 200 mg/dL, diabetes is diagnosed
If your blood sugar level after two hours is less than 140-200 mg/dL, you are considered to be at the borderline (pre-diabetic) stage
Normally, blood glucose levels after two hours should be within 140 mg/dL
Fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL or higher, and postprandial blood glucose level is 200 mg/dL or higher
This is a situation in which diabetes should be strongly suspected
Diabetes cannot be diagnosed based on blood glucose levels alone, but if HbA1c is also measured and it is 6.5% or higher, diabetes can be diagnosed
Diagnosing diabetes based on factors other than blood glucose levels
There are other ways to diagnose diabetes besides measuring blood sugar levels
Diabetes can cause complications. If a patient has had diabetes for a long time by the time they visit the hospital, complications may have already appeared
Diabetes can cause a variety of complications, but the most common are diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy
When these complications occur, diabetes is strongly suspected
diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease in which the retina, which acts as a lens that reflects the image that enters the eye, is damaged by sugar, resulting in a decrease in vision
If left untreated, it can lead to blindness and is a disease that requires treatment
If you experience symptoms such as blurred vision, seeing dust particles flying (floaters), or decreased eyesight, it is possible that the condition is progressing
There is a possibility of retinal detachment or glaucoma, so you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible
diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy is a condition that occurs when blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged by sugar, preventing them from filtering blood properly
In the early stages of the disease, it is sufficient to simply control blood sugar levels, but as the symptoms gradually progress, it becomes necessary to manage salt and protein intake and limit fluid intake
This is a serious complication that may ultimately require dialysis
Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetes is a disease that causes nerve damage. The main causes are thought to be the accumulation of damage to nerves due to blood sugar and the accumulation of damage to peripheral blood vessels, which results in insufficient blood flow to the nerves
It is said that sensory disturbances and autonomic nervous system disorders are the main symptoms
Sensory disturbances begin with complaints of difficulty sensating the toes or abnormal sensations (such as feeling like the skin on the feet is thick or like walking on gravel)
Your sense of pain will also become duller, making it harder to notice small wounds or infections
If the wound goes unnoticed for a long time, gangrene can gradually set in and the risk of amputation increases
To avoid this situation, in addition to daily blood sugar management, it is important to carefully observe the condition of your feet. This is especially important for people who suffer from ingrown toenails or who work in environments where they are prone to injury while wearing safety shoes. Check the condition of your feet every day when you take a bath
Autonomic nervous system disorders can cause problems such as difficulty regulating blood pressure, urination, and defecation. Other symptoms can include irregular heartbeats and impaired sweating
summary
In this article, we will discuss the diagnosis of diabetes
Diabetes can be diagnosed through simple tests such as blood tests and glucose tolerance tests. If high blood sugar levels are detected during a daily health check, you should visit a medical institution as soon as possible to receive a diagnosis. If there are few noticeable symptoms and the condition is left untreated, complications may progress and become irreversible
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential
In order to avoid diabetes, which causes serious complications, we recommend that you first see a doctor early to learn more about your physical condition.
Omotesando Helene Clinic specializes in regenerative medicine that does not place a burden on the body, and provides pre-counseling for those who cannot immediately start treatment.
Diabetes is also related to lifestyle habits such as obesity, excessive drinking and smoking, but it is generally said that it is difficult to improve lifestyle habits.
Therefore, if you use "regenerative medicine" that utilizes autologous stem cells, you can use your own cells to repair weakened cells in the body and prevent diabetes and complications.
"I'm curious, but I can't decide if prevention is really necessary now." You may be at risk of wandering life and death without realizing it, so Please feel free to contact us.
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References
・Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare eHealthNet: Glycated hemoglobin
https://www.e-healthnet.mhlw.go.jp/information/dictionary/metabolic/ym-066.html
・Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Diabetes
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/www1/topics/kenko21_11/b7.html
・National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Diabetes Information Center, Diagnosis and Testing
https://dmic.ncgm.go.jp/general/about-dm/030/index.html
Supervision: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda