India has the dubious distinction of having the largest number of people with diabetes. Recent studies have shown that for every person known to have diabetes, there are more than 2 people who have diabetes but are unaware of it.

In fact, many persons with Type II diabetes already show the presence of the long term complications associated with diabetes at the time of diagnosis. It is now widely accepted that if diabetes is detect3d early and adequate steps are taken, it may be possible to significantly delay the onset and progression of these complications. Thus, this is all the more reason to try and diagnose the onset of diabetes at the earliest.

Although diabetes does have its typical signs and symptoms, many people do not exhibit these "typical" signs and symptoms even though they have diabetes.

All those who complain of symptoms or show signs commonly associated with diabetes must have a test for diabetes, if feasible, all persons over the age of 30 years should undergo an annual test to rule out the presence of diabetes.

A negative test for diabetes does NOT mean that the person will never get diabetes. It only means that the person does not have diabetes at the time of testing.

Persons at high risk MUST undergo testing when they present for medical attention for whatever reason, and if negative, must have a regular annual check, thereafter.

The following tests are used for diagnosis:

• A fasting plasma glucose test measures your blood glucose   after  you have gone at least 8 hours without eating. This test   is used to detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.

• An oral glucose tolerance test measures your blood glucose   after you have gone at least 8 hours without eating and 2   hours after you drink a glucose-containing beverage. This test   can be used to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes.

• In a random plasma glucose test, your doctor checks your    blood glucose without regard to when you ate your last meal.    This test, along with an assessment of symptoms, is used to    diagnose diabetes but not pre-diabetes.
   Positive test results should be confirmed by repeating the    fasting plasma glucose test or the oral glucose tolerance test    on a different day.