A lot of people assume they have Diabetes when they start urinating frequently or they have a wound that is very slow to heal. These alone are not enough basis to declare yourself a Diabetic. For all that you know, you could be afflicted with UTI or another autoimmune disease. It does not make it any better, of course, but knowing the real trouble helps you identify the right treatment and prevent the progression of complications. This makes having a diagnosis very important.
For one thing, polyuria is usually an accompanying symptom of other diseases. Often it goes hand in hand with polydipsia or excessive thirst. It’s natural to urinate frequently when you drink frequently so that explains. It’s cause and effect although not purely, as one can go without the other in some cases. These symptoms are significant to make you suspect there is something wrong.
The major signs of Type 2 Diabetes include:
- Polyuria or frequent urination
- Excessive thirst or polydipsia
- Excessive hunger
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Gum disease, loosening of teeth
- Numbness of hands and feet
- Sleepiness after meal
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
- Sudden weight loss
- Blurry vision
- A smell of acetone
- Gastric upset (abdominal pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting)
- Polyuria
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, the next thing to do is to consult a doctor. A series of blood tests will be required to establish your condition. You may also need second and third opinion to be 100% sure.
1) Fasting blood sugar (FBS) – Prior to testing FBS, your stomach should be empty for at least eight hours – no food, water, whatsoever because anything you eat or drink will affect the results. If the test result is over 126 mg/dL, you’re pre-diabetic.
2) Move to the next test which is OGTT or oral glucose tolerance test. For you to qualify as diabetic, your OGTT test result should be 200 mg/dL. However, this test is usually done to diagnose gestational diabetes. This is not necessary for men, but if you are a non-pregnant woman, then this is the test for you.
3) Seek third opinion. The glycohemoglobin or glycated hemoglobin A1c test (also HbA1c). This test is done to determine the quality of insulin that attaches to the red blood cells during the last three months. For you to have Diabetes, your A1c should be at least 6.5%. A repeat test can be done to verify your condition. Unlike FSB, you don’t need an empty stomach to get an accurate result. This test can be done even after any meals. The A1c was not considered an accurate test before until the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program or NGSP developed a standard that all A1c test manufacturers should follow.
4) Random blood sugar test – This test is often recommended in case an A1c test is not accessible, if the A1c test results are inconsistent, or if a person is pregnant. Taken at a random time or date, regardless of meal schedule, the random blood sugar test will determine if you have diabetes if the result is 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter).
Diabetes can go undetected even for several years because the symptoms don’t show immediately. Sometimes, you only get to find out in your hospital bed after a major episode. If you are aware that you are unhealthy, make it a point to visit a doctor to be informed of the status of your blood glucose, prevent the development of Diabetes, or know how you can slow down an onset.
As always, it better to be safe, than to be sorry.
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