Diabetes refers to a chronic medical condition that impacts millions of people globally. Effective management requires regular monitoring. According to the healthcare experts at North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX, one of the most important aspects of managing diabetes is understanding the tests that help track blood sugar levels. Each offers valuable information about your body’s ability to process sugar/glucose. Dr. Juan Carlos Zubieta is here to help.

Understanding Your Diabetes Tests: The A1C Test

The hemoglobin A1C test is among the most common tests used to diagnose/manage diabetes without a need to fast. The average blood glucose levels are measured over the past two/three months. More specifically-

• A1C levels below 5.7% are considered normal.
• A1C levels of 5.7% to 6.4% indicate prediabetes, indicative of a potential problem as blood sugar is above normal levels but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
• A1C of 6.5+% on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a more involved test designed to measure how a body processes/responds to a sugary drink. After fasting overnight, an individual drinks a glucose solution. It is often used to diagnose gestational diabetes and to confirm diabetes diagnoses in people with abnormal A1C or fasting glucose results. Blood sugar is measured at intervals during the next two hours. More specifically-

• A blood glucose level beneath 140 mg/dL two hours after you have drank the glucose solution,

indicates normal response.         

• Blood glucose levels ranging from 140 to 199 mg/dL are indicative of prediabetes.
• A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher hours after the drink suggests diabetes.

Fasting Blood Sugar

The fasting blood sugar test (typically 8 hours without food or drink) measures the amount of glucose in your blood after not eating overnight. More specifically-

• A normal fasting blood sugar is under 100 mg/dL.
• Fasting blood sugar levels from 100 to 125 mg/dL suggest prediabetes.
• A fasting blood sugar level that exceeds 125 mg/dL indicates diabetes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Continuous glucose monitoring is a system designed to track blood sugar day and night. A small sensor beneath the skin measures glucose levels and provides real-time status of how your body responds to food intake, exercise, and certain medications. Continuous glucose monitoring (is typically used for people with type 1 diabetes or those who need insulin to manage type 2 diabetes levels.

Contact Us for More Information

For more information, contact the North Houston Diabetes Institute in Humble, TX, to determine which tests are right for you and how to best manage your diabetes in the future. Call us at (832) 644-9595 for Dr. Zubieta.