Blood Test |
Level for diagnosis mmol/l or mg/dl |
Notes |
Fasting plasma glucose levels |
>=7 mmol/l |
126 mg/dL |
Based on fasting for 8 hours. |
Random plasma glucose levels |
>=11 mmol/l |
200 mg/dL |
|
2-hr glucose levels |
>=11 mmol/l |
200 mg/dL |
This assesses your response to sugar after fasting for 8 hours.* |
HbA1c |
>=6.5 % |
|
Not used for diagnosis in children. But a useful monitoring tool |
To assess your body's response to sugar, this test requires fasting overnight. A blood draw determines your fasting glucose level. Then, you'll drink a special sugar solution, followed by further blood draws at 1, 2, and potentially 3 hours later. A 2-hour level below 140 mg/dL is considered normal. Levels between 140 and 199 mg/dL may indicate prediabetes, while levels at or above 200 mg/dL suggest diabetes.