Diabetes - Diagnosis & Treatment

Symptoms & Causes Diagnosis & Treatment Our Expertise & Doctors

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Diagnosis of diabetes involves measuring glucose levels in the blood:

Fasting blood sugar test: Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast
HbA1c test: Provides an average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months
Oral glucose tolerance test: Measures blood sugar before and after ingesting a sweet drink

How is diabetes treated?

Treatment varies depending on the type of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is primarily treated with insulin injections, necessary for controlling blood glucose levels.
Type 2 diabetes may be managed through lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin.
Gestational diabetes is managed through diet and exercise, and insulin injections if necessary.

Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and medication adherence are crucial for managing diabetes and preventing complications. It is vital to work closely with a healthcare team to tailor the management approach to individual needs.

Check Your Coverage

This coverage checker is brought to you by Health Insured, an online resource that helps you understand your health coverage in Singapore.

Symptoms & Causes

Our Expertise & Doctors

This page has been reviewed by our medical content reviewers.

Find a Doctor