Introduction
Many tests can be used in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, some of which can be done at home, while others can only be performed in clinics. These tests can be categorized into: blood tests (samples may be taken during fasting, or randomly); and glucose tolerance tests; and urine tests (Poretsky, 2010). The chief test used in diagnosis is the ‘fasting blood glucose test.’ In case the test results for this test are borderline, the glucose tolerance tests are used for confirmation.
Glycated Haemoglobin (A1C Test)
This test checks for the average levels of blood sugar within the last two to three months of testing. This test measures the percentage of blood sugar in the blood which is linked to the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a carrier protein; it transports oxygen within the blood. Higher levels of sugar indicate that more hemoglobin contain attached sugars (Medline Plus, 2011). Results of percentage A1C above 6.5 (tests taken on two different occasions) suggest diabetes. Percentages of between 5.7-6.4% is indicative of prediabetes, which forecasts high probability of diabetes developing.
Random Blood Sugar Test
Samples of blood for sugar testing are collected at random time and blood sugar levels checked. According to (Medline Plus, 2011), despite the time when a meal was last consumed, levels of 11.1 mmol/ L (200mg/dL) suggest the presence of diabetes especially if symptoms like extreme thirst or repeated urination is reported. Levels between 7.8-11.0 mmol/ L suggest prediabetes.
Fasting Blood Sugar Test
A blood sample is harvested after the patient has undergone an overnight fast, and carried out on two different occasions. Levels of between 5.6-6.9 mmol/L indicates prediabetes, while levels above 7mmol/L suggest diabetes (NDIC, 2011).
Table 1: FPG test (NDIC, 2011)
Plasma Glucose Result (mg/dL)
Diagnosis
99 or below
Normal
100 to 125
Pre-diabetes
(impaired fasting glucose)
126 or above
Diabetes*
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (Post Prandial Test)
This test is performed after an eight-hour fast and two hours after the patient consumes a drink filled with glucose. When levels are found to be above 11.1mmol/ L in the glucose test, diabetes is diagnosed (NDIC,2011). The digestive system takes approximately 2- 2.5 hours to digest sugars completely. In case this test is performed two hours after high sugar levels are detected and high sugar levels persist, a faulty metabolic system indicating diabetes mellitus is confirmed.
Table 2: OGTT (NDIC, 2011)
2-Hour Plasma Glucose Result (mg/dL)
Diagnosis
139 and below
Normal
140 to 199
Pre-diabetes
(impaired glucose tolerance)
200 and above
Diabetes*
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Herbal Preparations
Herbs have been used in the control of type 1 diabetes mellitus. A study by (Arykan et al., 2009), reports that 78.6% of children with diabetes mellitus taking herbal concoction of aloe vera, morus alba leaves, and stinging nettle were satisfied and planned to continue the therapy.
Ayuurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine is also used by some CAM practitioners to control diabetes mellitus. These therapies have registered some success in some patients in the reduction of glucose levels.
Dietary Supplements
Certain supplements like coenzyme Q, garlic, magnesium supplementation and ginseng, and vanadium are used by some people to control blood sugars.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus is done mainly through blood sugar tests. Levels above 11.1mmol/L point to the presence of diabetes mellitus (Poretsky, 2010). While complementary and/ or alternative treatments may be employed, patients should not fully substitute conventional drugs with these therapies. This is because many of them are still undergoing investigation for their effectiveness in the control of the disease.
References
Arykan D., Sivrikaya SK, Olgun N. (2009). Complementary alternative medicine use in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Turkey. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(15):2136-44. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19077023
Ehehalt, S., Gauger, N., Blumenstock, G., Feldhahn, L., Scheffner, T., Schweizer, R., & Neu, A. (2010). Hemoglobin A1c is a reliable criterion for diagnosing type 1 diabetes in childhood and adolescence Ehehalt et al. Pediatric Diabetes, 11(7), 446-449. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5448.2009.00633.x
Medline Plus, (2011). Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Available athttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000305.htm
National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (2011). Diabetes and CAM: focus on dietary supplements. Available at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/diabetes/CAM-and-diabetes.htm
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, (2011). Diagnosis of diabetes. Available at http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/diagnosis/
Poretsky L., (2010). Principles of Diabetes Mellitus. New York: Springer Science+ Business Media.
