Diabetes and Diabetic Nurse Education and Practice

Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes is diagnosed by many tests such as:

Random blood sugar test: This is the primary screening test for type 1diabetes. A blood sample is taken at a random time. Regardless of when your child last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 11.1 mill moles per liter (mmol/L), or higher suggests diabetes.

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test: This test indicates your child's average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the test measures the percentage of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (hemoglobin). An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

Fasting blood sugar test: A blood sample is taken after your child fasts overnight. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher indicates type 1 diabetes.

These additional tests include:

 Blood tests to check for antibodies that are common in type 1 diabetes

Urine tests to check for the presence of ketones, which also suggests type 1 diabetes rather than type 2 After the diagnosis Patient will need regular follow-up appointments to ensure good diabetes management and to check his or her A1C levels. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C of 7.5 or lower for all children. Doctor also will periodically use blood and urine tests to check patient :

• Thyroid function
• Kidney function
• Assess your child's blood pressure and growth
• Check the sites where your child tests blood sugar and delivers insulin
• Patient will need regular eye examinations. Patient also might be screened for celiac disease at the time of diagnosis of diabetes and at intervals afterward, depending on your child's age and symptoms.