How Juvenile Diabetes is Diagnosed

It can be scary when you realize that something may be wrong with your child. You will
want to find out right away what it is and how you can help. The testing that is done to
determine if your child has juvenile diabetes is not very evasive and can be determined in
a very short period of time.

Once you have taken your child to your health care provider, blood work will be ordered
to check your child’s blood glucose levels. The first test that is performed is normally a
with a blood glucose monitor in your doctor’s office. If the level is high a fasting blood
glucose test will be ordered. Your child will not be able to eat for 8-10 hours prior to the
blood being drawn. It is best to do this first thing in the morning as soon as your child
wakes up. Bring a snack along for your child to eat after the blood work as they are sure
to be hungry.

Depending on the results from the fasting blood test your doctor will probably order
another round of tests to verify the results. This test is also done on an empty stomach
and you should make an appointment as you will have to be in the office from 1-3 hours.
When you arrive at the lab your child will have some blood drawn and then be asked to
drink a beverage that is high in sugar. After one hour another blood test will be
conducted to see how your child’s body has processed the sugar. If the three hour test
was ordered two more blood tests will be done at the two hour and three hour marks.

The results from this test will give your doctor the information needed to make a
diagnosis of juvenile diabetes in your child.