Which test is often used to diagnose diabetes mellitus in patients?

The test commonly used to diagnose diabetes mellitus includes fasting blood glucose and the hemoglobin A1c (HA1C) test.

Fasting blood glucose measures the level of glucose in the blood after fasting for at least eight hours, providing a clear indication of how well the body manages glucose over that period. Elevated fasting glucose levels can indicate abnormalities in glucose metabolism, which is a characteristic of diabetes.

The hemoglobin A1c test offers a longer-term perspective on blood glucose levels by measuring the average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. A higher A1c percentage indicates poorer blood sugar control and helps in the diagnosis of diabetes as well as in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.

These two tests together form a reliable method for diagnosing diabetes, as they can indicate whether an individual has prediabetes or diabetes based on the established cut-off levels. The combination of immediate and long-term assessments helps healthcare providers to make informed decisions about diagnosis and management.

In contrast, the other tests listed do not serve this diagnostic purpose; LDL blood work is related to cholesterol levels, cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure for evaluating heart conditions, and blood pressure measurements assess cardiovascular health rather than glucose metabolism.