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Table 176-1

Criteria for the Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus

  • Symptoms of diabetes plus random blood glucose concentration ≥11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL)a or
  • Fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL)b or
  • Hemoglobin A1c≥ 6.5%c or
  • 2-h plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) during an oral glucose tolerance testd

a Random is defined as without regard to time since the last meal.

b Fasting is defined as no caloric intake for at least 8 h.

c Hemoglobin A1c test should be performed in a laboratory using a method approved by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program and correlated to the reference assay of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Point-of-care hemoglobin A1c should not be used for diagnostic purposes.

d The test should be performed using a glucose load containing the equivalent of 75 g anhydrous glucose dissolved in water, not recommended for routine clinical use.

Note: In the absence of unequivocal hyperglycemia and acute metabolic decompensation, these criteria should be confirmed by repeat testing on a different day.

Source: Adapted from American Diabetes Association: 2. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care 40(Suppl 1):S11-24, 2017.