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Diabetes lab tests: What's normal?
From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com
IntroductionBlood and urine tests help show if your diabetes treatment is working and can alert your doctor to early signs of diabetes complications, such as kidney disease. Click on the tabs to the left to find out what these tests measure, how they're done, what results are desirable, and how often to have the tests. Glycated hemoglobin testWhat the test measures
A glycated hemoglobin test, also called a glycosylated hemoglobin test or hemoglobin A1C test, reflects your average blood sugar level for the two- to three-month period before the test. Your doctor uses it to determine how well you're managing your blood sugar. How the test is done
A lab technician draws a sample of blood from a vein in your arm and sends the blood sample to the lab for analysis. Recommended results
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that your glycated hemoglobin level be 7 percent or less. How often to have the test
How often you have this test depends on the type of diabetes you have and how well you're managing your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is consistently within your doctor's recommended target range, the ADA recommends that you have this test twice each year. If you start a new diabetes medication regimen or have trouble keeping your blood sugar within target range, the ADA recommends that you have this test four times each year. Serum creatinine testWhat the test measures
This test measures the level of creatinine in your blood. Creatinine is a chemical waste product that's produced when you use your muscles. If your kidneys aren't functioning properly, they aren't able to remove as much creatinine from your blood. How the test is done
A lab technician draws a sample of blood from a vein in your arm and sends the blood sample to the lab for analysis. Recommended results
The normal ranges are: - Women. 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
- Men. 0.9 to 1.4 mg/dL
How often to have the test
People with diabetes typically have this lab test at least once each year. Urine microalbumin testWhat the test measures
A urine microalbumin test assesses the health of your kidneys by screening for protein leakage into your urine. If your kidneys become damaged, waste products normally filtered out by your kidneys remain in your blood, and protein (albumin) leaks into your urine. How the test is done
When you visit your doctor, you provide a fresh urine sample. The urine is sent to the laboratory for analysis, or a technician in your doctor's office performs the test using a chemically treated test strip. In addition, your doctor may ask you to collect all of your urine in a container over a 24-hour period and bring it in to be assessed. Recommended results
Normal urine albumin values vary according to the testing method. When the level of albumin in your urine is compared with the level of creatinine in your blood, the desirable value is less than 30 micrograms (mcg) of albumin per milligram (mg) of creatinine. A result of 30 mcg to 299 mcg of albumin per mg of creatinine means you have a condition called microalbuminuria. This means that your kidneys have experienced early damage, and without treatment, you're at risk of kidney failure. If your albumin level is 300 mcg of albumin per mg of creatinine or higher, you have a condition called macroalbuminuria. This means that damage to your kidneys is more advanced and without appropriate treatment, your kidneys are likely to fail within a few years. How often to have the test
The frequency of urine microalbumin testing depends on your individual situation. In general, you have the test yearly after your diagnosis, but you may need it more often if your levels are high. Talk with your health care team about how often you need the test. Lipids testWhat the test measures
A lipids test measures the level of fats (lipids) in your blood. A rising level of certain blood fats can alert your doctor to an increased risk of blood vessel damage. The test measures the level of two such substances, which increase your heart disease risk: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol," and triglycerides. The test also determines your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, which protects against heart disease. How the test is done
A lab technician draws a sample of blood from a vein in your arm and sends the blood sample to the lab for analysis. Recommended results
Optimal levels are: - LDL. Less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL. Greater than 40 mg/dL
- Triglycerides. Less than 150 mg/dL
How often to have the test
The ADA recommends that you have this test at least once each year and more often if your levels aren't normal or you're taking lipid-lowering medication.
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