Blood and Urine Test tips and medical advice from our team of doctors.
15 articles found
G. ONE-TIME OR SPECIAL-CIRCUMSTANCE TESTS 15. Islet Autoantibodies (GAD, IA-2, ZnT8, Islet Cell Antibodies) What it measures: Blood markers of autoimmune activity against the pancreas's insulin-producing cells. Why it's needed: These are not routine ...
Read Full ArticleF. LIVER, VITAMIN, AND OTHER SUPPORTING TESTS 11. Liver Function Tests (LFTs) What it measures: A blood panel checking liver enzymes (such as ALT and AST) and other markers of liver health. Why it's needed: Several diabetes medications are processed ...
Read Full ArticleE. NERVE & FOOT HEALTH 10. Comprehensive Foot Examination What it measures: A structured check of both feet, including a visual inspection for cuts, calluses, ulcers, or deformities; a check of pulses in the feet (circulation); and tests of protectiv...
Read Full ArticleD. CARDIOVASCULAR & METABOLIC RISK TESTS 7. Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Panel) What it measures: A blood test measuring total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol, and triglycerides. Why it's needed: People with diabetes have...
Read Full ArticleC. EYE HEALTH 6. Dilated Eye Examination (Diabetic Retinopathy Screening) What it measures: An eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist) examines the retina — the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye — after dilating the pupil with ey...
Read Full ArticleB. KIDNEY HEALTH TESTS 4. eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) What it measures: eGFR is calculated from a blood creatinine level (along with age, sex, and sometimes race/body size) and estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste from t...
Read Full ArticleA. GLUCOSE CONTROL TESTS 1. HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) What it measures: HbA1c measures the percentage of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells) that has glucose permanently attached to it. Because red blood cells live for about...
Read Full ArticleQuick reference summary table Test Purpose Typical frequency 1 HbA1c Long-term (2–3 month) average blood sugar Every 3 months if not at target; every 6 months if stable 2 Fasting/random glucose Real-time blood sugar snapshot Per individualized home...
Read Full Article