There are four major types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational, and pre-diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes and affects a person from childhood. Type 2 diabetes is often called adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and generally does not afflict someone until he or she is of adult age.
Gestational diabetes is a special type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. Not all pregnant women get gestational diabetes, though it is always a matter of concern when a woman is pregnant. In addition, gestational diabetes subsides shortly after the child is born. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed when a person is in the danger zone of becoming a diabetic.
In order to test a patient for diabetes, a doctor utilizes either a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Both of these tests are effective in testing for pre-diabetes and diabetes. The FPG is endorsed by the American Diabetes Associaion because it is faster, less expensive, and easier to use than the OGTT.
A patient being tested with the FPG test should have a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl if his or her body is functioning normally. A person with diabetes, on the other hand, will have a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher.
With the OGTT test, the patient needs to fast for two hours after consuming a special glucose-rich beverage. If the blood glucose level is anywhere from 140 to 199 mg/dl after fasting, the patient has pre-diabetes. If the level is 200 mg/dl or higher, the person is diagnosed with diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a special type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. Not all pregnant women get gestational diabetes, though it is always a matter of concern when a woman is pregnant. In addition, gestational diabetes subsides shortly after the child is born. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed when a person is in the danger zone of becoming a diabetic.
In order to test a patient for diabetes, a doctor utilizes either a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Both of these tests are effective in testing for pre-diabetes and diabetes. The FPG is endorsed by the American Diabetes Associaion because it is faster, less expensive, and easier to use than the OGTT.
A patient being tested with the FPG test should have a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl if his or her body is functioning normally. A person with diabetes, on the other hand, will have a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher.
With the OGTT test, the patient needs to fast for two hours after consuming a special glucose-rich beverage. If the blood glucose level is anywhere from 140 to 199 mg/dl after fasting, the patient has pre-diabetes. If the level is 200 mg/dl or higher, the person is diagnosed with diabetes.
