How
to Best Test for Undiagnosed Diabetes
A
simple test that measures long-term blood sugar may help identify
millions of people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
The
test, known as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), provides information on a
person's average blood sugar (glucose) over the past 2 to 3 months and
does not require fasting. Although the fasting plasma glucose test is
still considered the most accurate measure, HbA1c may be more
pragmatic because it does not require patients to fast for several
hours beforehand.
More
than 5 million Americans have undiagnosed diabetes.
If
not controlled, the disease can lead to serious medical complications
such as heart disease, blindness, kidney damage and amputations
resulting from damage to nerves.
Currently,
however, there is no clear evidence to support widespread screening at
the doctor's office. While the new findings do not show that the HbA1c
test is a cost-effective way to do routine screening, they do suggest
that more cases of diabetes can be caught.
The
test was particularly effective at detecting new cases of diabetes in
obese individuals, those with high blood pressure and individuals with
a family history of the disease.
An
estimated 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with type 2
diabetes,
but medical experts say the figure is actually higher. Journal
of General Internal Medicine January 2002;17:1-7
To
use the only disposable, instant, NGSP certified A1c for screening for
Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes, go to www.A1cNow.net.
