A number of tests can help diagnose type 1 diabetes, including an at-home fingerstick or hemoglobin A1C test. Another autoantibody testing can be done if there’s a parent or sibling with this autoimmune condition.
The onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) can happen very suddenly. While there is no consensus as to a single, specific cause of this autoimmune condition, diagnosing it quickly is crucial and can be lifesaving.
RELATED: Blood Tests Commonly Used To Diagnose Diabetes.
Get tested for diabetes if you’re experiencing any diabetes symptoms, including:
- extreme thirst
- weight loss
- frequent urination
- blurry vision
- fruity-smelling breath
To understand how doctors diagnose T1D, it’s important to understand what this autoimmune condition is and why that matters for those who may be experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes
Symptoms of T1D may be mistaken for flu-like symptoms, especially in children and teenagers. Some of the most common telltale symptoms of T1D include:
- extreme thirst
- rapid, unintentional weight loss
- increased hunger
- frequent urination
- fruity-smelling breath
- fatigue
- blurry vision
These symptoms can occur suddenly. They are often the reason T1D is diagnosed: People with high blood sugars and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) go to the emergency room where medical professionals make the diagnosis.
RELATED: Blood Tests Commonly Used To Diagnose Diabetes.
What tests are used to diagnose type 1 diabetes?
Getting tested for diabetes is easy. It can be done with a blood test either at home or in a doctor’s office.
In the case of an emergency situation, your blood sugar will be tested upon your arrival at a hospital’s emergency department.
The methods used to diagnose T1D are often similar to how other types of diabetes are diagnosed. The specific diagnostic tests that can be used for T1D are the following:
Fingerstick blood test
Checking your blood sugar with a fingerstick is a simple test that can be done at home or at a doctor’s office.
For at-home testing, you can buy a glucose meter at your local pharmacy. You take the device home and check your blood sugar with a finger poke. This is sometimes referred to by medical professionals as a “random glucose plasma test.”
Hemoglobin A1c
An A1C blood test measures your average blood sugar level over the previous 3 months. This can show doctors whether your blood sugars have been high for quite some time.
These autoantibody tests are done through a simple blood test at a doctor’s office or lab. A medical professional will take blood from a vein in your arm and send it to another laboratory for analysis.
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Summary
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition that can develop at any age. T1D symptoms often include increased hunger and thirst, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, fruity-smelling breath, and flu-like symptoms. Tests that are typically used to help diagnose T1D include a fingerstick blood test at home or in a doctor’s office as well as a hemoglobin A1C test. This test measures your average blood sugar over the past few months.
You can also have more advanced autoantibody testing to determine whether you’re living with T1D or another type of diabetes, or if there’s any increased likelihood based on an immediate family member’s diabetes diagnosis.