High blood sugar levels is the main indicator of diabetes, and the following guidelines are used to detect it:

• A fasting blood glucose level above 126 mg/dl indicates diabetes.
• A fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl indicates pre-diabetes, also referred to as insulin resistance.

Symptoms

Diabetes is considered a silent disease, because in many cases there are no overt symptoms despite high blood sugar levels. However, some people may experience the following symptoms:

• Unusual thirst
• Frequent urination
• Weight change (gain or loss)
• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Trouble getting or maintaining an erection¹

Diagnosis

The following tests and procedures may help you find out if you are suffering from diabetes:

• Fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) — In the FPG test, a person's blood glucose is measured first thing in the morning before eating.
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) — In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose is checked after fasting and again 2 hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink.¹
• Home glucose meter — You place a small drop of blood on a paper strip and insert the strip in a home monitoring device. It gives you a reading, within a minute, of your blood sugar level. This allows you to proactively manage your condition. Many types of monitors are available, usually at most local pharmacies.
• Online Self-assessments — Self-assessments, such as the Diabetes Self-assessment, Candidiasis Self-assessment and the Magnesium Assessment, can help you determine some of the root cause(s) of your chronic conditions. Learn more about Self-assessments.

Additional Information about Diabetes

1. Diabetes Overview
2. Common causes of diabetes
3. Natural and alternative treatments for diabetes
4. Dietary and lifestyle recommendations that may help in the treatment of diabetes
5. Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of diabetes
6. Cited Sources and Additional Reading for diabetes

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