Screening for diabetes is an important part of basic health screening and preventative healthcare. Screening services are critical because early detection provides the best way to improve the effectiveness of treatment and management of any condition. Finding conditions, such as diabetes, early leads to the best long-term health outcomes.
Diabetes screening is done through blood testing. High blood glucose (sugar) levels indicate diabetes. Glucose levels indicate the blood sugar level at the time of testing. A1C or glycosylated hemoglobin reflects the average blood sugar over three months. Both tests can be done through a lab draw or fingerstick testing.
Fasting glucose measures sugar levels when you have not eaten for about nine to 12 hours. Fasting results indicate the following:
- 99 mg/dl or less = normal
- 100-125 mg/dl = pre-diabetes
- 126 mg/dl or higher= diabetes