Diabetes Test

Sharon got her Capillary Plasma Glucose (Random) tested. It was 4.9 millimoles per Litre . All ok. But mine was 6.1 mm/L. Which is borderline fail (range 6.0-12.0mm/L). I'm on a fast tonight. The next day the fasting test gave a result of 5.9mm Glucose/L. A retest is required in 3 years, according to the nurse.

From Lloyds Pharmacy - a Free Diabetes Test:

There are 1.8M diagnosed with diabetes in the UK. There are thought to be up to 1 million people undiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the UK. That is why Lloydspharmacy are working with Diabetes UK, (diabetes myths) the charity for people with diabetes, to offer a free diabetes tests to help identify your risk of developing the condition.

Unfortunately, by the time that many people are diagnosed with diabetes they have already developed serious complications. Long term complications associated with diabetes include:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary heart disease and stroke
• High cholesterol
• Eye damage and blindness
• Kidney failure
• Nerve damage
• Leg ulcers

We can check your blood glucose level by doing a simple test which is available to anyone aged over 16. Our pharmacists can also advise you on ways of reducing your chance of developing diabetes later in life and offer guidance on leading a healthy lifestyle. The service is free and no appointment needed (dont eat or drink for 2 hours before the test).

To get a diabetes test, please use the pharmacy finder to find your local Lloydspharmacy.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the body is too high because the body is unable to use it properly. Glucose provides the body with energy and is mainly obtained from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice and potatoes and from sugar and other sweet foods.

After eating, the level of glucose in the blood increases and the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Insulin regulates your glucose levels to prevent them from becoming too high or too low. If you have diabetes, the body either produces too little insulin, or resists its effects. The body then uses other sources of energy and unused glucose builds up in the blood.

Download the diabetes leaflet (PDF document)

Diagnostic criteria ex Wikipedia

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by recurrent or persistent hyperglycemia (high glucose levels), and is diagnosed by demonstrating any one of the following:^[1]

• fasting plasma glucose level at or above 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/l.
• plasma glucose at or above 200 mg/dL or 11.1 mmol/l two hours after a 75 g oral glucose load in a glucose tolerance test.
• random plasma glucose at or above 200 mg/dL or 11.1 mmol/l.

By definition, two fasting glucose measurements above 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/l is considered diagnostic for diabetes mellitus.

Patients with fasting sugars between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/l (110 and 125 mg/dL) are considered to have "impaired fasting glucose" and patients with plasma glucose at or above 140mg/dL or 7.8 mmol/l two hours after a 75 g oral glucose load are considered to have "impaired glucose tolerance". "Prediabetes" is either impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance; the latter in particular is a major risk factor for progression to full-blown diabetes mellitus as well as cardiovascular disease.