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People over age 45 should be tested for diabetes. If the first blood glucose test is normal, they should be re-tested every three years.

People under age 45 should be tested for diabetes if they are at high risk for diabetes based on these factors:

• being more than 20 percent over ideal body weight, or having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 27 kgm/m2
• having a first-degree relative with diabetes (mother, father, or sibling)
• being a member of a high-risk ethnic group (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American)
• delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, or having diabetes during pregnancy
• having blood pressure at or above 140/90 mm/Hg
• having abnormal blood fat levels, such as high-density lipoproteins (HDL) less than or equal to 35 mg/dL, or triglycerides greater than or equal to 250 mg/dL (mg/dL = milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood)
• having a sedentary lifestyle
• having impaired glucose tolerance when previously tested for diabetes
• having polycystic ovarian syndrome

A diagnosis of diabetes:
A diagnosis of diabetes is made when any three of these tests is positive, followed by a second positive test on a different day:

• fasting plasma glucose of greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL with symptoms of diabetes
• casual plasma glucose (taken at any time of the day) of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL with the symptoms of diabetes
• oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) value of greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL measured at a two-hour interval. The OGTT is given over a three-hour time span.

A diagnosis of gestational diabetes:
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed with a 50 gram glucose screening test, which involves drinking a glucose drink followed by measurement of the blood sugar level after one hour.

Consult your physician regarding your wish to be screened for gestational diabetes.