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 childs blood glucose levels. The first test that is performed is normally a with a blood glucose monitor in your doctors 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 childs 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.

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