Being overweight and inactive are key contributing factors to developing type 2 diabetes. If a person exhibits symptoms such as blurred vision, slow-healing sores, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, or frequent infections, they should book an HbA1c test at a reputed pathology lab. The accurate test results will help a medical practitioner provide the diagnosis and treatment accordingly.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition which occurs when cells in the muscles and liver become resistant to insulin. This long-term condition causes sugar to circulate in the blood. High blood sugar levels can cause circulatory, nervous, and immune system disorders. When a person has type 2 diabetes their pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin. Some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
- Increased feeling of thirst
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent urination
- Unintended weight loss
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing sores
- Numbness in the hands or feet
- Areas of darkened skin, usually in the neck
Risk Factors
There are many risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes, these include:
- Weight: Being overweight puts a person at a risk of becoming pre-diabetic and diabetic.
- Inactivity: If a person is less active, they are at more risk of getting insulin-resistant. This is because physical activity helps a person control their weight. It helps the body use up glucose as energy and makes cells sensitive to insulin.
- Family History: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if an individual’s parents or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
- Blood Lipid Levels: Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides can have an impact on a person’s blood sugar levels.
- Age: After the age of 35 the risk of type 2 diabetes increases due to weakening of the immune system and other co-related conditions.
- Prediabetes: In this condition, even though the blood sugar level is elevated, it is not high enough to be classified as diabetes. But if it is ignored and not treated, it can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Pregnancy-Related Risks: Women who had gestational diabetes at the time of pregnancy are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes after birth or even after a few years.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Having polycystic ovary syndrome increases the risk of diabetes as women who have this condition are insulin-resistant. Due to the excessive amount of unused glucose in the blood, the chances of type 2 diabetes increases.
Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed by a medical practitioner with the help of an HbA1C test. This blood test indicates a person’s average blood sugar level for the last 2-3 months. An individual can check out the price of an HBA1C test on the website of a trusted pathological lab. If an individual has certain conditions that would likely interfere with the test, a healthcare provider may use other tests to diagnose diabetes like:
- Random blood sugar test
- Fasting blood sugar test
- Oral glucose tolerance test
A person who is overweight and has one or more risk factors associated with diabetes should get a screening test done for type 2 diabetes. It is also imperative to get screening tests done for young adults who have a family history of type 2 diabetes. If an individual wish to book a reasonably HbA1C test price in Delhi, Mumbai, or any other city, it is recommended to choose a reputed pathology lab with positive customer reviews and accreditations.