Type 2 Diagnosis

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that people age 45 and older consider getting tested for diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests a routine test every three years for those over 45, particularly if they are overweight, or for those under 45 if they are overweight and have another diabetes risk factor. Those with additional diabetes risk factors may require more frequent testing.

The following lab values are the ADA practice guidelines for the diagnosis of diabetes:

• An A1C value of 6.5% or more
• A random plasma glucose value of 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) or more (in the presence of diabetes symptoms)
• A fasting plasma glucose value of 126 mg/dl (7 mmol/l) or more
• An oral glucose plasma glucose value of 200 mg/dl or higher at 2 hours post-glucose load

The ADA maintains that a definitive diabetes diagnosis requires a second positive test performed on a different day.