Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile
Understanding Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile
What is Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile?
A Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package comprises blood tests that help estimate your blood sugar and lipid levels. It assesses your risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and monitors treatment progression.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar. If left untreated, it can lead to a range of health conditions. On the other hand, lipids are the fats the body uses as an energy source. They are essential for the proper functioning of the body, but their high levels can lead to cardiovascular complications.
Diabetes and dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels) often coexist. High blood sugar can lead to lipid abnormalities and vice versa. This package checks for both conditions simultaneously, enabling healthcare providers to identify and address these interconnected issues early, potentially preventing complications.
Your doctor may advise this package if you have risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), a family history of diabetes, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet, for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This test can also be recommended if you have symptoms such as weight gain or loss, blurred vision, a frequent urge to urinate, chest fullness, or pain in the lower legs.
Usually, overnight fasting (8 to 12 hours) is mandatory before a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package. Do not eat or drink anything except water before taking the test. It is also important to inform the doctor about any medicines that you are taking, as some of them may affect your blood glucose and lipid levels and may need to be adjusted or temporarily discontinued before the test.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them evaluate your medical condition and formulate an overall treatment plan.
What is Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile used for?
A Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile is done:
- As part of routine health checkups to measure blood glucose and lipid levels.
- If you have symptoms of altered blood glucose levels, such as weight gain/loss, blurred vision, frequent urge to urinate, or confusion.
- To monitor diabetes treatment and treatment effect in individuals already diagnosed with high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease
- To identify individuals at risk of diabetes or heart conditions or those with poorly controlled diabetes.
What does Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile measure?
Contains 10 testsThe Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile includes two tests: diabetes screening [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test and glucose-fasting blood test] and lipid profile [total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides].
The package comprehensively assesses your metabolic health and cardiovascular risk factors. It helps detect and manage conditions like diabetes, prediabetes, and dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels) at an early stage. Additionally, it offers insights into the risk of developing heart disease and provides valuable information for lifestyle adjustments, medical interventions, and preventive measures to improve overall health.
Diabetes Screening (HbA1C & Fasting Sugar)
A Diabetes Screening (HbA1C & Fasting Sugar) test includes a glycosylated hemoglobin test and a glucose-fasting blood test. The glycosylated hemoglobin test measures the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood, while a glucose-fasting blood test measures the glucose level during fasting. Glucose is the main form of sugar utilized by the body to release energy; it is absorbed by the intestine and distributed to all organs through blood. These tests help your doctor to monitor your blood sugar levels and manage your diabetes well.
Know more about Diabetes Screening (HbA1C & Fasting Sugar)
This further contains
- HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)
- FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)
Lipid Profile
A Lipid Profile assesses the level of specific fat molecules called lipids in the blood and helps determine the risk of heart ailments. This test determines the amount of different types of lipids, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Lipids play a pivotal role in the functioning of the body. They are crucial components of the cell membranes and hormones, provide cushioning, and are a storehouse of energy. Any alterations in the lipid levels may lead to potential heart ailments, making their monitoring crucial.
Know more about Lipid Profile
This further contains
- Cholesterol - LDL
- Triglycerides
- Cholesterol - Total
- Cholesterol - HDL
- Very Low Density Lipoprotein
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Cholesterol Ratio
- LDL/HDL Ratio
- Non HDL Cholesterol
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile
Frequently Asked Questions about Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile
Q. Why is a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package important?
Q. What tests are included in a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package?
Q. What is a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test?
Q. What is the difference between fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests?
Q. What do high glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glucose-fasting levels indicate?
Q. Is there any special preparation required for a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package?
Q. What are the risks associated with a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package?
Q. What is prediabetes?
Q. What is the difference between “bad cholesterol” and “good cholesterol”?
Q. What are the ways to maintain healthy lipid levels?
Q. How can I maintain healthy blood sugar levels?
Q. What is the best time to take a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package?
Q. What is the sample collection procedure for a Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile package?
Book Diabetes Screening and Lipid Profile at-home
References
- Diabetes [Internet]. WHO; 5 Apr. 2023 [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
- Your Diabetes Care Schedule [Internet]. USA: CDC; 19 Apr. 2023 [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/care-schedule.html
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- M Ridker P. Fasting versus Nonfasting Triglycerides and the Prediction of Cardiovascular Risk: Do We Need to Revisit the Oral Triglyceride Tolerance Test?. Clinical Chemistry. 2008 Jan. 01; 54(1):11-13. [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/54/1/11/5628707
- Guerrero-Romero F, Villalobos-Molina R, Jiménez-Flores JR, et al. Fasting Triglycerides and Glucose Index as a Diagnostic Test for Insulin Resistance in Young Adults. Archives of Medical Research. 2016 Jul.; 47(5):382-387. [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0188440916301400
- P Neri B, S Frings C. Improved Method for Determination of Triglycerides in Serum. Clinical Chemistry, 1973 Oct. 01; 19(10):1201-1202. [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article-abstract/19/10/1201/5676688
- HDL (Good), LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides [Internet]. Dallas, Texas: American Heart Association; 06 Nov. 2020 [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/hdl-good-ldl-bad-cholesterol-and-triglycerides#:~:text=HDL%20cholesterol%20can%20be%20thought,and%20passed%20from%20the%20body
- Gordon DJ, Probstfield JL, Garrison RJ, et al. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Circulation Research. 1989 Jan. 01; 79(1):8-15. [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/01.cir.79.1.8
- Wilson PWF, Zech LA, Gregg RE, et al. Estimation of VLDL cholesterol in hyperlipidemia. Clinica Chimica Acta. 1985 Oct. 15; 151(3):285-291. [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0009898185900919
- Gordon T, Fisher M, Ernst N, et al. Relation of diet to LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides in white adults. The Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study. ATVB. 1982 Nov. 01; 2(6):502-512. [Accessed 24 Jul. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/01.ATV.2.6.502
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