How Do I Get Diagnosed With Diabetes?

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

For many people with diabetes, the hardest part of living with the condition comes at the beginning. Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes can be shocking and scary. Not only is getting such news unexpected, but it also raises countless questions and worries about what the future will look like. But getting a diagnosis is the first step in treating and managing diabetes. Getting the information and answers they need from their doctors puts patients in control of the disease, rather than the other way around.

But how do you get diagnosed with diabetes? What symptoms should you look for, and what should make you schedule an appointment with your physician? How will your doctor know you have the condition?

Symptoms of Diabetes

While certain individuals are more predisposed to developing diabetes, anyone can develop the condition, no matter how healthy and active they may feel. If you are experiencing any of the following, you should make an appointment with your doctor who can take the appropriate tests to confirm (or rule out) diabetes:

  • Frequent urination, often at night
  • More thirsty than usual
  • Unexpected weight loss
  • Frequent hunger
  • Blurred vision
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Extremely fatigued and tired
  • Very dry skin
  • Sores that heal slowly
  • More frequent infections than usual

Tests For Diabetes

If your doctor suspects that diabetes may be a problem, they will perform a comprehensive exam along with several specific blood sugar tests they may order to make an accurate diagnosis:

  • A fasting plasma glucose testmeasures your blood glucose level after you haven’t eaten for at least eight hours. Diabetes is indicated at fasting blood sugar of greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl.
  • Like the fasting plasma glucose test, an oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood sugar level after you have fasted for eight hours. But it also measures your plasma glucose level immediately before and two hours after you drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Diabetes is diagnosed at a two-hour blood sugar level greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl.
  • In a random plasma glucose test, your physician checks your blood sugar regardless of when you last ate. Diabetes is diagnosed at a blood sugar greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl.

One or more of these tests will likely be repeated to confirm the results. Additionally, your doctor may measure your hemoglobin A1 as a screening tool for both diabetes and prediabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1C of greater than or equal to 6.5 percent.

Making Diabetes Management Easier With Continuous Glucose Monitoring

The good news is that while there is no cure for diabetes, there are treatments, approaches, and lifestyle changes that can keep diabetes under control. One of the most important aspects of staying healthy and managing diabetes is vigilantly and regularly monitoring blood glucose levels.

Traditional glucose monitoring involves pricking a finger multiple times a day to test blood samples, an inconvenient and uncomfortable burden. Now, however, technology has provided those with diabetes a more accurate and easier way to keep track of their blood sugar levels. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a tested, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes stay in control of their condition and their lives.

If you have recently received a diagnosis of diabetes, ask your doctor about CGM and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading