Diagnosing Diabetes
Who should be tested for diabetes?
-
Anyone who recognises that they have a risk factor
OR - If you think you have diabetes
Everyone, at some point in life, should be tested for diabetes. However, those who have a family history of type 2 diabetes or any other risk factors (eg, old age, obesity, poor diet and low activity levels, stressed lifestyle, etc.) should go for testing regularly.
Type 2 diabetes may not show any symptoms for several years. If you any one of the risk factors then you should get tested as soon as possible.
Pre-diabetes – do you have this?
One in four adults over 25 years has either diabetes or a condition known as pre-diabetes (impaired glucose metabolism). Pre-diabetes means 'before diabetes', and people with pre-diabetes are at the highest risk of progressing to diabetes.
Pre-diabetes is very similar to full-blown diabetes. The ability to keep blood glucose levels on an even keel and in a good range are affected. A doctor can test you to find out if you have pre-diabetes.
There are two types of pre-diabetes:
- Impaired Fasting Glucose
- Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Both are conditions in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
Testing for risk and for diabetes
To find out if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, or if you are at risk of diabetes, please go to your doctor and ask for a test. In Australia, under Medicare, you are eligible to get tested at little to no cost, particularly if you go to a bulk billing general practice.
Health checks through Medicare, for example:
- Item 713: Diabetes Risk Assessment for patients aged 40-49
- Item 717: 45 year old health check
- Item 700: 75+ health assessment
Fasting Plasma Glucose Tolerance Test
- No food or drink for 8-12 hours before test
- Take blood and test glucose levels
Possibly then an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
- Drink oral glucose
- Test blood two hours later
References:
- Rizwana Kousar, (2010) What is Diabetes?, Community Education Series, Melbourne. Australian Community Centre for Diabetes, 2010
