India ko “Diabetes Capital of the World” bola jaata hai. Shocking fact: Every 1 in 11 adults in India has diabetes. Aur aur bhi zyada log pre-diabetic hain (matlab diabetes aane ke edge pe khade hain).
Ab problem yeh hai ki aksar log test karwaate hi nahi, ya phir confuse hote hain:
👉 “Doctor ne bola fasting blood sugar test karwao.”
👉 “Dusre ne bola HbA1c hi enough hai.”
👉 “PP test bhi hota hai kya?”
So the big question is: Diabetes check karne ke liye kaunsa test sahi hai? Fasting? HbA1c? Ya dono?
Chaliye step by step samajhte hain.
Understanding Diabetes in Simple Words
Diabetes ek condition hai jisme body sugar (glucose) ko properly use nahi kar pati.
Normal: Insulin (ek hormone) glucose ko cells tak pahuchaata hai energy banane ke liye.
Diabetes: Insulin kam ho jata hai ya properly kaam nahi karta → glucose blood mein hi jama ho jaata hai.
Result? Blood sugar high → long term mein heart disease, kidney damage, eye problems, nerve damage.
Types of Blood Tests for Diabetes
Doctors usually 3 common tests suggest karte hain:
1. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)
Test karne se pehle 8–10 ghante kuch nahi khana.
Sirf paani allowed.
Blood sample liya jaata hai aur sugar level check hota hai.
👉 Normal Range:
Normal: below 100 mg/dL
Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or above
2. Post-Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS)
Khane ke 2 hours baad test hota hai.
Dekhne ke liye ki food ke baad sugar kitna spike karta hai.
👉 Normal Range:
Normal: below 140 mg/dL
Prediabetes: 140–199 mg/dL
Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or above
3. HbA1c Test (Glycated Hemoglobin Test)
Ye sabse modern aur powerful test hai.
Ye test pichhle 3 months ka average blood sugar level batata hai.
Fasting ki zarurat nahi. Anytime karwa sakte ho.
👉 Normal Range:
Normal: below 5.7%
Prediabetes: 5.7–6.4%
Diabetes: 6.5% or above
Fasting vs. HbA1c – Which is Better?
Ab aati hai asli baat.
Fasting Test – Pros & Cons
Pros:
Simple aur sasta test hai.
Diabetes diagnosis ke liye abhi bhi standard hai.
Almost har lab mein available.
Cons:
Fasting karna mushkil lagta hai (especially elderly patients ke liye).
Sirf ek din ka sugar level batata hai.
Agar test ke din aapne kam khaya ya stress tha, result galat aa sakta hai.
HbA1c Test – Pros & Cons
Pros:
Fasting ki zarurat nahi.
Last 3 months ka average deta hai → zyada reliable.
Lifestyle aur medicine ka actual effect dikhata hai.
Cons:
Thoda mehenga hota hai fasting test se.
Kidney/liver disease patients mein kabhi kabhi inaccurate results aate hain.
Har jagah small towns mein available nahi hota.
Expert Recommendation
Doctors usually dono tests ka combination prefer karte hain.
First diagnosis ke liye: Fasting + PP + HbA1c (clear picture ke liye).
Follow-up patients (already diabetic): HbA1c every 3–6 months enough hota hai.
Routine screening (normal log): HbA1c is better, kyunki fasting prepare karna zaruri nahi.
Matlab: HbA1c tells the “bigger picture”, fasting test tells the “snapshot of today”.
Who Should Get Tested for Diabetes?
Diabetes ek silent disease hai — symptoms late aate hain. Isliye regular testing important hai, specially agar:
Age 35+ ho.
Overweight ya obese ho.
Family history of diabetes ho.
Sedentary lifestyle ho.
PCOD/PCOS in women.
High BP ya cholesterol hai.
Women with history of gestational diabetes (pregnancy diabetes).
Symptoms That Need Immediate Testing
Agar yeh signs aa rahe hain, blood test delay mat karo:
Excessive thirst (bohot pyaas lagna).
Frequent urination (baar-baar bathroom).
Sudden weight loss or gain.
Constant fatigue.
Blurred vision.
Non-healing wounds.
Repeated infections (skin, gums, urinary tract).
Lifestyle & Prevention
Diabetes ka sabse bada treatment hai lifestyle management.
Diet Tips
Cut down on sugar, cold drinks, sweets.
Replace white rice/maida with brown rice, whole wheat, millets.
Include protein (dal, eggs, fish, paneer).
Eat fiber (green veggies, fruits with skin, oats).
Avoid fried and junk food.
Exercise Tips
Walk at least 30 mins daily.
Yoga & pranayama help in insulin sensitivity.
Strength training + cardio combination works best.
Habits
Quit smoking & alcohol.
Reduce stress → meditation, hobbies.
Proper sleep (7–8 hours).
FAQs
Q1. Can HbA1c alone diagnose diabetes?
Yes, agar result 6.5% ya usse upar hai toh diabetes confirm hoti hai.
Q2. Fasting test normal aaya but HbA1c high hai – matlab kya?
Matlab sugar fluctuate hota hai. HbA1c zyada reliable hai.
Q3. Kitni baar test karna chahiye?
Normal log: 1 saal mein ek baar. Diabetic patients: HbA1c har 3–6 months.
Q4. Bacchon mein bhi diabetes test karana chahiye?
Haan, specially agar family history hai ya obesity hai.
Diabetes ek lifelong condition hai, lekin early diagnosis aur regular monitoring se easily control ho sakti hai.
👉 Fasting blood sugar test simple aur affordable hai.
👉 HbA1c test pichhle 3 months ka true picture deta hai.
Best approach? Use both together.
“Aaj ka sugar fasting batata hai. Kal, parso, aur agle teen mahine ka sugar HbA1c dikhata hai.”
