How to test for diabetes?

Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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The examination for diabetes primarily involves assessment based on symptoms and measuring blood glucose levels through a venous sample. Typical clinical symptoms of diabetes include "three more and one less"; where "three more" refers to dry mouth, increased thirst, and frequent urination, and "one less" refers to weight loss. Thus, generally, when these symptoms are observed, there is an awareness of the possibility of diabetes. Subsequently, one should consult a hospital for further tests, which usually include urine testing and venous blood extraction. For diabetic patients, the glucose level in routine urine tests will significantly increase. Another measure is the direct measurement of blood glucose through venous blood. A fasting blood glucose level of ≥7.0 mmol/L, or a two-hour glucose level of ≥11.1 mmol/L post-OGTT, or a random blood glucose level of ≥11.1 mmol/L, meeting any one of these conditions, combined with the symptoms of diabetes, can diagnose the disease.

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Can frequent urination be diabetes?

If the amount of urine increases, the first thing to consider is the possibility of diabetes. In this case, a routine urine test will reveal a significant increase in urinary glucose. If a blood test for blood glucose is performed, an increase in blood glucose will also be found. For this situation, it is necessary to go to the hospital's endocrinology department for hypoglycemic treatment in a timely manner. Secondly, diabetes insipidus should be considered, which also causes an increase in urine volume, and the patient will have obvious thirst. Routine urine tests find that blood sugar in the urine is not high, the specific gravity of urine will initially decrease, and the patient's daily urine output will exceed 2500 milliliters, even reaching more than 4000 milliliters.

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Gestational diabetes symptoms

During pregnancy, there are two scenarios concerning diabetes: one is where diabetes is diagnosed before pregnancy, referred to as pregestational diabetes combined with pregnancy. The other scenario is where the sugar metabolism is normal before pregnancy, or there is an underlying reduced glucose tolerance, and diabetes appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes. Over 80% of diabetic pregnant women have gestational diabetes. Typically, gestational diabetes doesn't show clear symptoms of the classic "three polys and one less" - excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Some women with gestational diabetes may experience itching of the vulva, caused by repeated infections with Candida albicans. Additionally, gestational diabetes may lead to conditions like fetal macrosomia and polyhydramnios during pregnancy, and pregnant women with gestational diabetes are more prone to infections.

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Gestational diabetes indicators

Gestational diabetes refers to the absence of a diabetes history before pregnancy, but during pregnancy screening (Tang screening), blood sugar abnormalities are discovered. At this point, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. The criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes are based on a diabetes screening test conducted at 24-28 weeks. If the fasting blood glucose is ≥5.1, one-hour blood glucose is ≥10.0, or two-hour blood glucose is ≥8.5, meeting any one of these criteria is sufficient for a gestational diabetes diagnosis.

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Diabetic foot prevention care

First of all, it's important to keep blood sugar under control. It's recommended that people with diabetes check their glycated hemoglobin every three months to see if their blood sugar levels meet the standards. Second, many patients suffer from diabetic foot due to severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Injuries such as stepping on a nail or accidental bumps may lead to infections. Therefore, it's suggested that patients with diabetes check their feet daily for any small wounds or ulcers, and if found, they should seek timely treatment from an endocrinology specialist. Third, using warm water for foot baths and treatments like local infrared lamp therapy are advised. It's important to ensure that the temperature is not too high, generally around 40 degrees Celsius, to avoid burning the skin.

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Type 2 diabetes daily diet

Type II diabetes requires careful daily dietary considerations. First, meals should be regular and moderate in portion; overeating is to be avoided. Second, ideally consume only three meals a day and avoid late-night snacks, which is a habit that many people have but is inadvisable. Third, the amount of carbohydrates per meal should be controlled; about 100 grams of staple food per meal is sufficient for those who perform moderate physical labor and do not engage in heavy physical activities. Fourth, sweet foods like pastries and cakes, which are high in sugar, should be completely avoided. Fifth, foods like porridge and glutinous rice, which have a high glycemic index, are not recommended. Lastly, very sweet fruits such as lychees, longans, durians, grapes, and bananas are too sugary and not suitable for consumption.