A1C Test Approved for Diagnosing Diabetes

According to an article in USA Today, it may soon become easier to diagnose diabetes. At the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting, a group of experts concluded that the A1C test is a reliable way to diagnose the condition. This is a serious development--one that may affect the screenings offered at health fairs.

Until now, doctors have diagnosed diabetes by administering a fasting plasma glucose test, which provides a one-time snapshot of an individual's blood glucose level. The A1C test, on the other hand, can give doctors information about a patient's glucose levels over a two- to three-month period. It does not require fasting, and is performed through a simple blood draw.

Like the old glucose test, the A1C test is quick and easy to perform. And since it is a more reliable indicator of diabetes, we may eventually see A1C replace glucose screenings at health fairs. Keep reading Corporate Wellness Insights for the latest.