Diabetes Testing in Vizag
There is a common saying that “prevention is better than cure”. Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes; thus, prevention or management is the only slot left for conditions like diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with the functioning of the pancreas. It happens when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body is not able to use insulin produced by the pancreas effectively. Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating the blood sugar.
According to a report published by the World Health Organisation, in India, there are estimated 77 million individuals above the age of 18 who are suffering from type II diabetes. Whereas nearly 2 million are prediabetics.
There are three major types of diabetes, namely Type I, Type II and gestational diabetes. The most common type of diabetes is Type II. If not managed, the condition can lead to multiple organ failure, nerve damage, vision complications, etc. Moreover, if not treated, the condition can be life-threatening or fatal.
Thus, diabetes testing should be a part of routine health checkups. If you are considering this test, the best and most reliable place to get it done is Vijaya Medical Centre. We are a NABL-accredited top-notch diagnostic laboratory and offer affordable and comprehensive diabetes testing in Vizag.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes can be life-threatening, but how do we know if we are at risk of developing diabetes? Well, in some of the cases, diabetes can be asymptomatic and does not exhibit any signs or symptoms. However, when diabetes is symptomatic, the alarming common signs or symptoms are as follows:
- Frequent Urination
- Excessive Thirst
- Fatigue
- Unintentional Weight Loss
- Poor and Delayed Wound Healing
- Dry or Itchy Skin
- Numbness or Tingling sensation in Hands or Feet
- Blurred Vision
- Increased Appetite
- Sudden Mood Changes, Irritability
- Dry Mouth
- Recurrent Infection (mainly Urinary Tract Infection or Skin Infection)
Importance of Diabetes Testing
As previously mentioned, there is no cure for diabetes, and if not managed, the condition can be fatal. But how do we know if we are at risk of diabetes? Well, this can only be known by diabetes tests. There are several importances for diabetes testing. Some of these importance are as follows:
- Early Detection: Testing for diabetes helps in several ways, such as early detection. In the some of cases, diabetes can be asymptomatic. Meaning there by it does not show any signs of symptoms. In such cases, only diabetes screening tests can help determine whether you are diabetic or at risk of developing diabetes.
- Reduced Risk of Life–threatening Complications: Diabetes testing keeps life-threating complications at bay by reducing the risk of serious complications. For example, impaired vision, kidney failure, clogged blood vessels, heart strokes, nerve damage, etc. .
- Better Life Quality: Regular diabetic screening helps in identifying prediabetes. Early detection of pre-diabetes encourages patients to change lifestyles and ultimately improve the quality of life.
- Proactive health approach: Regular diabetes blood tests inform people of their sugar level and encourage them to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of diabetes.
Importance of Regular Diabetes Monitoring
Regular diabetes blood tests are important, especially for those who are at high risk of developing diabetes, due to the following reasons:
- Identify patterns- Regular diabetes screening can allow a prediabetic or diabetic to take note of the reasons behind their abnormal sugar levels.
- Make informed decisions- Knowing the cause can allow prediabetics or diabetics to make better choices regarding their diet, exercise, medications, and other lifestyle factors to keep their blood sugar levels under control.
- Get customized diabetes treatment- The information collected by diabetes control tests can be used by doctors to create a tailored diabetes management plan.
- Monitor the treatment progress- The patients can check if the treatment is working in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Prevent serious complications- Keeping the blood sugar levels within normal range can help prevent other health conditions and diabetes complications.
What to Expect During a Diabetes Test?
During a diabetes blood test, a phlebotomist will draw the patient’s blood using a sterile needle. Before the test, the patient may need overnight fasting. In the case of an oral glucose tolerance test, the patient is asked to drink a sugar/glucose-loaded drink. Thereafter, the patient’s blood sugar level is checked multiple times, usually 1, 2, and 3 hours after consuming the drink.
Diabetes test results show variations based on the patient’s condition and the diabetes testing timing. Here are the targeted ranges of blood sugar levels at different times:
- Fasting blood sugar – People with diabetes have 80-130 mg/dL and non-diabetics will have under 70-99 mg/dL of blood sugars.
- Post prandial blood sugar (Two hours after meal) – People with diabetes have under 140 mg/dL and non-diabetics will have under 180 mg/dL of blood sugars.
The expected range for blood sugar levels may vary depending on the patient’s medical history, age, pregnancy, general health status, the time of onset of diabetes, and the occurrence of diabetes complications.
Types of Diabetes Tests We Offer
Important tests for diabetes offered at Vijaya Medical Centre, Vizag include:
Basic diabetes test-
This package includes:
- HbA1c test- It measures blood sugars in the past 2-3 months.
- Fasting plasma glucose test- It measures blood sugars once after overnight fasting.
Diabetes control test-
This package includes:
- HbA1c test- It measures blood sugars in the past 2-3 months.
- Fasting plasma glucose test- It measures blood sugars once after overnight fasting.
- Random plasma glucose test- This test measures the blood sugar levels in patients showing signs of diabetes, without the patient going for overnight fasting.
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)- A sensor is placed underneath the skin of the patient to measure blood sugar levels every minute. A finger prick test is also recommended to be done regularly to calibrate the CGM device.
- Urine dipstick test- A special chemical strip is used to test the urine sample of the patient for the presence of glucose.
Diabetes screening blood test
This package includes:
- HbA1c test- It measures blood sugars in the past 2-3 months.
- Fasting plasma glucose test- It measures blood sugars once after overnight fasting.
- Glucose tolerance test- It measures blood sugars before and every hour after consuming a glucose drink. It is recommended to diagnose prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in non-pregnant people.
- Glucose challenge test- This test is meant to diagnose gestational diabetes.
Advanced Testing Options for Comprehensive Diabetes Care
Here are some additional important tests for diabetes to help manage diabetes and ensure comprehensive diabetes care:
- Lipid profile: This test measures the complete lipid panel, the level of triglycerides, and good/bad cholesterol in the blood. It is recommended to check for diabetes-associated abnormal blood cholesterol.
- Kidney function test: This test measures the level of different waste products of the kidney that are passed into the blood. It is recommended to diagnose diabetic nephropathy or diabetic kidney disease.
- Complete blood count (CBC): This test measures the concentration and size of different types of blood cells and even hemoglobin and hematocrit. It is recommended for the identification of inflammatory responses and chronic diseases in diabetics.
Diabetes Testing Cost in Vizag
The pricing of diabetes testing varies as per:
The type of diabetes test- fasting blood sugar test, random blood sugar test, glucose challenge test, HbA1c test, 2-hour postprandial blood sugar test, or oral glucose tolerance test.
You can get best diabetes test cost in Vizag, with Vijaya Medical Centre.
Why Choose Vijaya Medical Centre for Diabetes Testing in Vizag?
- We are appreciated as the most reliable diagnostic centre in Vizag for diabetes testing
- We have a team of highly skilled doctors and technical staff
- We offer comprehensive, personalized, superior-quality diabetes screening and accurate reporting within the promised turnaround time
- We use advanced technologies for diabetes diagnosis
- We offer diabetes testing at the best competitive prices and flexible scheduling
One can book a diabetes test online for convenience and go ahead with the entire process in the comfort of one’s home. We have the option of at-home safe, blood sample collection for diabetes tests and are renowned for best home diabetes tests.
FAQs About Diabetes Testing in Vizag
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The most common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, increased appetite, and extreme thirst. Other common signs and symptoms of diabetes include unintentional weight loss, delayed wound healing, fatigue, and tingling sensations in hands or feet.
How often should I get tested?
You should get yourself tested as part of a routine health checkup. However, if you are prediabetic or diabetic, you should get tested for diabetes as ordered by your health care provider. Typically, it is recommended to get tested for diabetes every 3 to 6 months to keep track of your blood sugar levels.
Can I book a test online?
Yes, you can book for an online diabetes test with us. You can book your appointment by contacting us via phone, or you can find the link on our official website for online booking.
How to test for diabetes at home?
You can test for diabetes at home using a blood glucose meter.
Is fasting required for diabetes blood tests?
Yes, fasting is required for fasting blood sugar tests. However, there are other tests that can be done without fasting as well. Thus, it depends upon the type of diabetes test.
What test is used to diagnose diabetes?
There are multiple tests that can be done to diagnose diabetes. These tests include HbA1C tests, fasting blood sugar tests, and oral glucose tolerance tests. The right test will be ordered by your health care provider.
How to read diabetes blood test results?
The diabetes blood test results are interpreted by your doctor. The interpretation is done by comparing the patient’s blood sugar levels and normal blood sugar ranges. If the blood sugar level is slightly higher than normal, it is prediabetes and if very high, the report indicates diabetes.
Book your diabetes test online in Vizag at the best prices only with the leading diagnostic centre, Vijaya Medical Centre.