Type 2 diabetes refers to a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugars. Insulin is a chemical made in your body, and its job description is to lower blood glucose levels. In this type of diabetes, your body no longer makes or responds to insulin, and your blood glucose levels continue to skyrocket. It is important to go to your doctor if you experience such diabetic symptoms as constant thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and increased hunger. He can obtain various types of blood tests to determine whether you have type 2 diabetes.
Step 1
Go to your doctor and get a glycated hemoglobin A1c test. Have your blood drawn in two separate vials, and send the blood to a medical laboratory. Here, medical lab technicians will check your average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months. An A1c level (measures the amount of sugar bound to your blood cells) of 6.5 or higher in both blood samples qualifies as diabetes.
Step 2
Test your blood glucose randomly. Use your lancet and glucose monitor as instructed by your doctor to check your blood glucose at two random times during the day. A blood sugar level greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter in both instances qualifies as type 2 diabetes.
Step 3
Do not eat anything for at least 8 hours before obtaining a fasting glucose test. Go to your doctor's office and have them draw your blood. The blood will be sent to a laboratory to determine your blood sugar levels. A fasting blood glucose of 126 or above qualifies as type 2 diabetes. The fasting glucose test is the preferred diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes because it is accurate, and cheap and easy to do.
Step 4
Do not eat anything for at least 8 hours before obtaining an oral glucose tolerance test. Go to your doctor's office where you will drink a sugar-filled liquid. A medical professional will draw blood immediately before and two hours after drinking the liquid. A blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter or higher qualifies as type 2 diabetes.
Things You'll Need
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1c) test
- Random blood sugar test
- Fasting blood sugar test
- Oral glucose tolerance test
- Glucose monitoring kit
