Fast Facts Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed before age 30 and after a person has experienced one or more of the symptoms associated with type 1. Type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed after age 45 yet those affected may or may not experience any noticeable symptoms. But, with the rise of obesity in Canada, the incidence of diabetes is on the rise, particularly among children and youth. If you are concerned about your risk of diabetes, please consult your family physician

Diagnosis

Diabetes is diagnosed by means of a blood test measuring blood sugar and is administered by a physician or health care provider. Blood glucose levels vary with food intake, so the timing of this test in relation to meals is important. To help ensure that blood glucose readings are as accurate as possible, the test is classified in the following manner:

• a casual plasma glucose means the measurement is taken without regard to the time of the last meal;
• a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) means the blood sugar measurement is taken when the person has not eaten for at least eight hours;
• the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) means that the person fasts for at least eight hours, is then given a 75 g glucose load, and the blood sugars are measured at one- and/or two-hour intervals after the load.