Lesson 3

1. Diabetes Diagnosis
Lesson 3

2. Before we start...
There’s a lot of information and you don’t need to know everything! We included
some extra information so you can have a better understanding.
Important info will be bolded or in red!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

3. Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1
Cause: Immune system attack cells that make
insulin → body will lack insulin
Diagnosis happens in younger people
Type 2
Cause: Not fully understood → but body
cannot respond to insulin
Risk: Overweight/obese, inactivity,age, genetics
Diagnosis happens in adults
Source: https://diabetesresearchconnection.org/differences-type-1-type-2-diabetes/

4. Diagnostic Criteria - making the diagnosis
Prediabetes = before Type 2 diabetes → blood
glucose will be higher than normal (but not as
high as in diabetes
Fasting glucose levels: glucose levels after not
eating or drinking: 100mg/dL → 125 mg/dL
Oral glucose tolerance tests: checks blood
glucose 2 after drinking a sugary drink: 140-199
mg/dL
Random plasma glucose tests
HA1C tests: Measure average blood glucose for
past few months: 5.7%-6.4%
Type 2 Diabetes
Fasting glucose levels: glucose levels after not
eating or drinking: higher than prediabetes:
126mg/dL or more
Oral glucose tests: checks blood glucose 2 after
drinking a sugary drink: higher than
prediabetes: 200 mg/dL or more
Random plasma glucose tests: random check of
blood glucose levels: Diagnosis if 200 mg/dL or
more
HA1C tests: Measure average blood glucose for
past few months: higher than prediabetes:
6.5%Source: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diagnosis/

5. Important Lab Tests
HA1C tests: Measure average blood glucose for past few months:
Below 5.7% is the recommended range, 5.7%-6.4% is indicative of
prediabetes, and values above 6.5% indicate diabetes.
Fasting Blood Sugar: Below 100 mg/dl is recommended. 100-125
mg/dl indicates prediabetes. Values above 126 mg/dl indicates
diabetes.
Urine tests can be used to detect glucose, ketones, or proteins
associated with diabetes.
hCG is a test used to rule out pregnancy, which may present with
symptoms similar to diabetes.
nittanymountain.org

6. Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
- Having prediabetes
- Overweight/Obese
- Older than 45
- Relative (parent or sibling especially) with Type 2 diabetes
- Physically active less than 3 times per week
- Previously having diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs
- Ethnicity: Higher risk in African American, Hispanic/ Latino American,
American Indian or Alaska Native (and some Pacific Islanders and Asian
Americans)
- History of cardiovascular disease
- A1C > 5.7%
- HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”): lower than 35 mg.dL
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/risk-factors.html

7. Screening
USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force) - Recommends annual
screening for type 2 diabetes for those who are overweight or obese between the
ages of 40 and 70. It is also recommended that women pregnant beyond 28
weeks are screened as well.

8. Lifestyle Recommendations
- Exercise regularly
- 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
- Improve diet
- Limit carbs: if have carbs - choose high fiber (whole grains)
- More fruits and vegetables
- Less sugary drinks
- Limit trans and saturated fats (red meats, fast food)
From: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p42.html; image from:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/balanced-diet-women