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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Aug 19.
Published in final edited form as: Metabolism. 2011 Jan;60(1):1–23. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2010.09.010

Table 1.

Criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes

  1. A1c ≥6.5%. The test should be performed in a laboratory using a method that is NGSP certified and standardized to the DCCT assay.a

    OR

  2. FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L). Fasting is defined as no energy intake for at least 8 h.a

    OR

  3. Two-hour plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) during an OGTT. The test should be performed as described by the World Health Organization, using a glucose load containing the equivalent of 75 g anhydrous glucose dissolved in water.a

    OR

  4. In a patient with classic symptoms of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis, a random plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L).

  5. Categories of increased risk for diabetesb

    FPG 100-25 mg/dL (5.6–6.9 mmol/L) [IFG]

    Two-hour plasma glucose on the 75-g OGTT 140–199 mg/dL (7.8–11.0 mmol/L) [IGT] A1c 5.7%–6.4%

NGSP indicates National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program; FPG, fasting plasma glucose. Adapted from reference [6].

a

In the absence of unequivocal hyperglycemia, criteria 1 to 3 should be confirmed by repeat testing.

b

For all 3 tests, risk is continuous, extending below the lower limit of the range and becoming disproportionately greater at higher ends of the range.