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Interesting news out of this weekend’s The American Diabetes Association meeting–the association is recommending a new standard in the way that doctors test for and diagnose diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes.
Currently, two tests are used to diagnose the condition. The first is a fasting plasma glucose test in which patients fast for 12-14 hours before blood is drawn. The second is a glucose tolerance test, where a patient drinks a sweet liquid solution and has blood drawn two hours later.
The new standard, called the A1C assay, will be far less inconvenient to patients, as it is a straightforward blood test requiring neither fasting nor imbibing icky liquids. Instead of measuring glucose in the bloodstream, the A1C assay measures how much protein in the blood has been “glycated,” or fused with excess glucose that–because of diabetes–isn’t being processed by the body.
The association recommends that everyone over age 45 have this test, regardless of whether they display risk factors such as family history, weight problems, or blood pressure problems.
Read this article from CNN.com for more on this technique that may change the way diabetes is diagnosed.
And check out our gallery of natural care tips for managing diabetes.
Do you think changes are called for in the way diabetes is diagnosed?
posted June 9, 2009 at 6:23 am
There were several stages of Diabetes.The two ways by which to determine the severity of the sugar in the body or blood stream have
proven effective until now,the new technology of Diabetes is neither
called for or just naturally discovered because since the old technology has proven in the past many years to be effective,and since
science is a never ending process of discovery research or development
i am more on the natural result of the evolution of things.This is
just my comment.
posted June 9, 2009 at 7:56 am
We need a new way to determan why you have DIABETES is it what your eating or aging or chemistry??? I am not over weight ,no high cholesterol, My blood tests are very good, but not sugar tests?? Most doctors don’t want to know why, just take a pill an you will be fine ,some diabetes medications are as bad, I refuse the pills!
posted June 9, 2009 at 9:21 am
Don:
Something you might find interesting and new.
Gene
posted June 9, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I acually check for Hyperinsulinemia, a fasting test. If it is high, the diagnosis of heperinsulinemia or “pre-diabetes” is used. In addition to lifestlye changes, I will add Glucophage XR or Januvia to help improve insulin resistance. I tell patients if lifestyle changes are not made, their risk for full blown diabetes is eminent. With early lifestyle changes, on can avert or reverse the dignosis or prevent diabetes form occuring.
To Fred Tucker: Excess processed carbohydrates over use the pancreas which makes insulin until insulin becomes unresponsive to these foods…thus ones sugars will start to climb…Diabetes.
There is a small population of thin Type II diabetics. Life style changes and medications are also important in these cases. Carol
posted June 9, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I agree that the Scientist and Researchers never stop working to
discover the best solution in the diagnosis and treatment of Diabetes,and all kinds of diseases as well.
posted June 9, 2009 at 4:37 pm
God Bless the Scientist and Researchers,they were serving God by
their special field of studies.Praise be to God.