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Diabetes Patient Info
Diabetes What to Expect
There are several tests and labs used to make a diabetes diagnosis and monitor your ongoing condition. Below are listed the most common tests and labs ordered, why you need them, and what they can tell you about your condition.
Test Name
What's Tested?
How Does it Work?
What is Normal?
Blood
Blood Glucose
Venous blood is removed from the arm and the sugar level is analyzed.
70–100 mg/dL
>125 mg/dL on two tests is considered diabetes
Blood
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Blood is drawn to test the fasting sugar level.
Flavored drink is given with 75 gms of glucose (100 gms in pregnancy)
Blood is drawn 4x over 3 hrs
<140 mg/dL for 2nd hr
<200 between 0 and 2 hrs
Diabetes is diagnosed when more than two values are abnormal (on two different days)
Blood
Random Blood Sugar
Venous blood is removed from the arm and the sugar level is analyzed.
<140 mg/dL for 2nd hr
<200 between 0 and 2 hrs
Diabetes is diagnosed when more than two values are abnormal (on two different days)
Eye Exam
Retinal Evaluation
Pupils are dilated and the optic nerve, blood vessels and interior eye lining are passed using an opthalmoscope.
There should be no edema (swelling) or narrowing of the nerve and vessels.
Blood Vessel Assessment (over external body/skin surface)
Vascular Ultrasound
Sonogram evaluates blood flow using high-frequency sound waves.
Normal would fail to show vessel narrowing or flow blockages due to clots.
External Exam (body/skin surface)
Doppler evaluation of blood flow.
Evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel, including flow to vital organs.
Normal would be consistent, continuous flow with no blockage.
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