Type 1 Diabetes Tests - Dr Karthik Explains | MedX

Watch Dr Karthik from Medlife discuss Type 1 Diabetes Tests.

We hear about diabetes, but when it hits a member of our family, it can be devastating. Especially when a little one in our family is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes it can be really painful. But, with the right way of diagnosis and precautions, you can control diabetes.

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So, let us first understand the tests that have to be taken to detect Type 1 diabetes.

The first and most common test is the Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test.

In this test, you will find the percentage of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (hemoglobin). More the sugar level in your blood, the more sugars will bind to the hemoglobin protein.

If this test, for some reason, doesn’t give accurate results, then you can go for the Random blood sugar test.

In this test, we take a random test irrespective of the time of your food intake. The blood sugar level is measured in milligrams per deciliter. So, a sugar level of 200 mg/dL or above, coupled with diabetic symptoms like frequent urination and extreme thirst, can suggest diabetes.

Another helpful diagnostic is Fasting blood sugar test.

This test detects blood sugar level after overnight fasting. If the results say less than 100 mg/dL, then it is normal.
Sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL could mean prediabetes, which is a condition that may or may not lead to diabetes.
If the test result is 126 mg/dL or higher, it indicates diabetes.

Certain antibodies tests can also help your doctor diagnose Type 1 Diabetes.

The first one is the C-Peptide test. This test requires you to fast. This test will check for the amount of C-peptide found in your blood. The level of peptide generally matches the amount of insulin you have in your body. So, a low level of the peptide may indicate diabetes.

Next is the Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Autoantibodies test. This test will measure the antibodies developed against a specific enzyme in the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin.

The other antibodies test is Insulin Autoantibodies. The main thing to note about diabetics is that the immune system of a diabetic person will not only target beta cells but also insulin. This test will look for those antibodies.

Another test that helps detect Type 1 Diabetes is Insulinoma-Associated-2 Autoantibodies. This test will focus on detecting the antibodies mounted against a specific enzyme in beta cells.

The oldest type of test of all is Islet Cell Cytoplasmic Autoantibodies. Islet cells generally push pancreas to produce insulin on detection of glucose. This test will look at how islet cell antibodies from humans react with a variety of islet cell proteins from the animal pancreas. If the antibodies react with islet cell proteins from the animal pancreas, you have a type 1 diabetes marker.

So, once your doctor has gathered information that indicates diabetes type 1, they will ask you to visit them regularly to discuss diabetes management.

Your doctor will regularly keep a tab on your A1C levels. Depending on the age at which you develop the condition, the levels of A1C may vary greatly. But it is recommended to have below 7 per cent.

The A1C test is the most recommended because it is much better than daily blood sugar level tests.

When you have higher A1C levels, your doctor will make changes to your insulin regimen or meal plan.

Apart from A1C test, your doctor will also test your blood and urine periodically to keep a tab on the cholesterol levels, thyroid, liver, kidney function.

Once you are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the next step is to manage it.

To learn more on the cholesterol levels, thyroid, liver, kidney function tests and how to manage your type 1 diabetes, check out our next videos.