Tests for Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes is usually diagnosed by a doctor using one of the following two tests:
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
The OGTT is a screening test that involves testing the individual's plasma glucose level following a glucose-rich drink (a beverage containing 75 grams of glucose.) People who have IGT or pre-diabetes will have a plasma glucose level of less than 200 mg/dl but equal to or greater then 140 mg/dl.
Those people who have a plasma glucose level over or equal to 200 mg/dl after two hours will be diagnosed with diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose test is used to diagnose diabetes, however.
Fasting plasma Glucose Test (FGT)
FGT is a test that screens for diabetes and pre-diabetes. The test works by measuring the level of glucose in the individual's blood after a period of fasting. Anyone who is at a high risk of pre-diabetes should be given the FGT. Risk factors include obesity, ethnicity, family history, etc. See pre-diabetes for more information.
The fasting plasma glucose test is performed after a person fasts for at least 8 hours. Individuals who have blood glucose level greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl will be retested and if the results are consistent diagnosed with diabetes. Those with less than 126 mg/dl but greater than 110 mg/dl will be diagnosed as having impaired fasting glucose, or pre-diabetes.
