Prediabetes tests
If you notice any of the signs of prediabetes, the next step is to visit your doctor, who will likely send you to do some tests that can tell you for sure if you have prediabetes or not.
Here are the tests that are used in the USA to check for the presence of prediabetes.
A1C test
The A1C test is a blood examination that assesses the amount of sugar that is bound to hemoglobin, the main protein found in red blood cells. This test analyzes your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. Everything is directly proportional; the higher the value of the A1C, the higher the average blood sugar in your blood in the past 3 months.
If the result is verified, an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% shows prediabetes and 6.5% or above implies type 2 diabetes.
Random plasma glucose (RPG) test
This is a test that can be performed at any time of the day when you are not fasting. It is used to measure the level of glucose in your blood at a random moment in time. This is the most basic theory that can be performed, but it is also the most inaccurate one.
It is a good way to check if there’s something wrong with the sugar levels in your blood, but no doctor will use it to diagnose you.
If you have an RPG test of 200 mg/dL or greater, you likely have diabetes, especially if you also have symptoms like increased thirst, hunger, or urination.
