A blood test at a clinic or lab is the only way to know for sure whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. A risk assessment like the one on this platform can point to a higher chance, but it cannot diagnose you — only a test can do that.

What the test involves

Getting tested is quick and routine. A health worker takes a small sample of blood, usually from a finger prick or from a vein in your arm. For some tests you may be asked to come in fasting — nothing to eat or drink except water for about eight hours beforehand — so it helps to ask in advance.

Common tests include:

  • Fasting blood glucose — your blood sugar after not eating overnight.
  • HbA1c — a single blood draw that reflects your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. No fasting needed.
  • Random blood glucose — a reading taken at any time, sometimes used as a first check.

You usually get the result the same day or within a few days.

Where to go

Any health centre, hospital, or private laboratory can do these tests. If you are not sure where to start, a community health worker or the nearest clinic can point you in the right direction. Tell them you would like to be checked for diabetes.

What to ask the clinician

  • What was my result, and what does the number mean?
  • Am I in the normal range, the prediabetes range, or the diabetes range?
  • Should I be tested again, and if so, when?
  • What can I do now to lower my risk or keep it low?
  • Are there other checks I should have, such as blood pressure or cholesterol?

If the test is normal

That is good news, but risk can change over time. Keep up the everyday habits that protect you — a reasonably balanced diet, regular movement, not smoking — and get re-checked as your clinician advises, especially if diabetes runs in your family.

If you are told you have prediabetes or diabetes

This is not a dead end. Prediabetes can often be reversed, and diabetes is very manageable, especially when caught early. Your clinician will talk you through the next steps. Keeping a record of your readings — for example in this platform's Health Journal — helps you and your clinician see how things are going over time.