The Fasting Blood Glucose Level Test and the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test are generally what are used to determine if a child has type 1 diabetes or not. The Fasting Blood Glucose Level Test is the primary test used to determine if a child has type 1 diabetes. For this test, the child will need to fast the night before the test, usually not eating anything after midnight. When the child arrives at the hospital their doctor will take a blood glucose level reading. This is done by testing a small blood sample with a blood glucose meter. If their level is above 140 mg/dl then they will be scheduled for another Fasting Blood Glucose Level Test in a few days. If the reading is again at or above 140 mg/dl then the child will be diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes.
The second diagnostic test for type 1 diabetes is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Again the child will need to fast for 10 to 16 hours before they start the testing process. This test begins with a fasting blood glucose level reading, and then they will be given a sugary mixture to drink. After the child drinks the soda pop-like mixture their blood glucose levels will be taken at various intervals of time usually at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours. What the doctor is looking for here is the natural fluctuation in blood glucose levels. In a normal person who consumes something sugary, their blood glucose levels should peak immediately after drinking the concoction, and then quickly return to normal as their body produces insulin to burn the glucose. However, in a diabetic person, their body is not able to produce insulin and they are unable to utilize the glucose in their blood. As a result their blood glucose levels will remain high even after a significant amount of time. If the child’s blood glucose level remains 200 mg/dl or higher after the 2 hour mark, then they will be scheduled to be tested again to make sure the results are accurate. If a similar result occurs in the second test, then the child is diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes.