Type 2 Diabetes Screening: Methods & Risk Assessment

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It is also referred to as non-insulin dependent or adult onset diabetes. People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes should be screened periodically, as untreated diabetes can be life-threatening. The following are the most common methods of screening: fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, and random plasma glucose test.

Instructions

• 1

  Take a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. Do not eat or drink for 8-12 hours prior to the scheduled test. FPG should be drawn first thing in the morning and processed immediately for most accurate results. A result above 126 mg/dl is indicative of type 2 diabetes. The result must be confirmed with a second test on a different day for diagnosis.

• 2

  Take an oral glucose tolerance test. Do not eat or drink for 8-12 hours prior to your oral glucose tolerance test. Have blood drawn immediately before drinking a liquid (supplied by lab) that contains 75 grams of glucose. Do not eat or drink during the test. Blood should be drawn a second time 2 hours after the test began. A result of above 200 mg/dl is indicative of type 2 diabetes. The test must be repeated on a different day to confirm diagnosis.

• 3

  Take a random plasma glucose test. Blood should be drawn at a random time without prior fasting. A reading of 200 mg/dl or higher along with other symptoms of type 2 diabetes such as slow healing, increased thirst or urination, or weight loss, is an indicator for type 2 diabetes. The random plasma glucose test must be repeated on a different day to confirm diagnosis.