Random Blood Sugar Test – This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You can take this test at any time and don’t need to fast (not eat) first. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.
| Result* | A1C Test | Fasting Blood Sugar Test | Glucose Tolerance Test | Random Blood Sugar Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 6.5% or above | 126 mg/dL or above | 200 mg/dL or above | 200 mg/dL or above |
| Prediabetes | 5.7 – 6.4% | 100 – 125 mg/dL | 140 – 199 mg/dL | N/A |
| Normal | Below 5.7% | 99 mg/dL or below | 140 mg/dL or below | N/A |
Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes. Source: American Diabetes Association If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, your blood may also tested for autoantibodies (substances that indicate your body is attacking itself) that are often present in type 1 diabetes but not in type 2 diabetes.
Does routine blood work show diabetes?
Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Diabetes
- Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Diabetes
The signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly, especially in children, over a period of weeks. In babies and young children, the first indication of Type 1 diabetes may be a yeast infection that causes a severe diaper rash that’s far worse than the common red, puffy and tender skin rash.
- In young children and infants, lethargy, dehydration and abdominal pain also may indicate Type 1 diabetes.
- Once the symptoms appear, a blood test generally will reveal very high blood glucose.
- Type 2 diabetes can be detected easily during a routine screening exam and blood test.
- However, it frequently can go undiagnosed for years unless a physician draws a blood sample to check the blood glucose.
In the early stages of Type 2 diabetes, you experience few to no noticeable signs of the disease. As time goes by and the untreated blood glucose continues to rise, symptoms begin. If you’re over 40 or have parents or siblings with diabetes, be sure to have your blood glucose checked routinely.
- Extreme thirst and a greater need to urinate: As excess glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues. The loss of fluid makes you thirsty. As a result, you may drink and urinate more than usual.
- Frequent hunger: Without enough insulin to move sugar into the cells (Type 1) or insulin resistance prohibiting insulin from entering the cells (Type 2), the muscles and organs are low on energy. This triggers intense hunger.
- Weight loss: Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, rapid weight loss sometimes occurs. Without the energy that glucose supplies, muscle tissues and fat stores simply shrink. Unexplained weight loss is often one of the first symptoms to be noticed.
- Blurred vision: If the blood glucose is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of the eyes, affecting the person’s ability to focus clearly.
- Feeling tired: If cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and lethargic.
- Slow-healing sores, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, etc.: High blood glucose reduces the immune system’s ability to fight infections.
What tests are done for pre diabetes?
Recommended Tests for Identifying Prediabetes | NIDDK There are three recommended blood testing methods to identify or diagnose prediabetes: A1C, fasting plasma glucose, and 2-hour post 75 g oral glucose challenge. These are the same tests currently recommended to identify undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
A1C 5.7%–6.4% or Fasting plasma glucose 100–125 mg/dL (impaired fasting glucose) or 2-hour post 75 g oral glucose challenge 140–199 mg/dL (impaired glucose tolerance)
Although the future development of type 2 diabetes is possible when blood test results are below these ranges, the risk for progression becomes higher for individuals with these more elevated test results. Important Note: These different test options do not always identify the same patients.
For example, some individuals may yield a normal fasting glucose test but a simultaneous A1C test in the prediabetes range. If the suspicion for prediabetes is high but the initial screening test is normal, it is reasonable to consider repeat testing in a shorter period of time (e.g., 1 year) or confirming the “normal” result with one of the other two screening test options.
Regardless of screening method, identifying individuals before the transition to type 2 diabetes allows action, such as providing information and resources for prevention or performing more frequent retesting (e.g., every 1 to 3 years).1 The Decision Pathway for Diabetes and Prediabetes can guide the interpretation of lab results. 
(PDF, 59.07 KB) Prediabetes identifies an intermediate stage in the development of type 2 diabetes. It is important to intervene at this stage to prevent progression. Patients should be counseled on the need to lose weight by adopting a healthier lifestyle, including making healthy food choices and increasing physical activity. Consider referral to a lifestyle intervention program based on the principles of the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Diabetes Prevention Program such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Also consider metformin for patients under 60 years of age with prediabetes plus other risk factors, such as A1C>6%, hypertension, low HDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides or family history of diabetes in a first-degree relative and who have obesity (BMI of 30 or greater).
Can a urine test detect diabetes?
What is it used for? – A glucose in urine test may be part of a urinalysis, a test that measures different cells, chemicals, and other substances in your urine. Urinalysis is used to check your general health. In the past, urine glucose testing was used to screen for or monitor diabetes.
Do routine blood tests tell you your blood type?
The best way to learn what blood type you have is by giving a blood sample. You can ask your healthcare professional to check for your blood type during regular blood testing, or you may find out this information when donating blood. There are even at-home test kits you can purchase.
What shows up in a routine blood test?
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) – This routine blood test measures the cells in the body through the blood. They test the blood for white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. CBC tests can detect if you have anemia, nutritional deficiencies, an infection, cancer, and bone marrow problems.