Diabetes Screening
- Glucose (sugar) - Fasting values are usually high in diabetes. Certain drugs, such as thyroid, diuretic, and birth control pills as well as recent intake of food, can elevate glucose levels.
- Hemoglobin A1c - The average blood sugar during the previous 8 - 12 weeks. The higher the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood, the higher the amount of hemoglobin A1c. The test indicates how well your diabetes has been controlled in the 2 to 3 months before the test. Information gained from this test can help determine whether your diabetes medication needs to be adjusted. It can also help your health professional estimate your risk of developing complications from diabetes, such as kidney failure, vision problems, and leg or foot numbness. The A1c level is directly related to complications from diabetes: the lower your A1c level, the lower your risk for complications.
back
