Please could someone help me understand diabetes testing?

[Cancelyourcheque]

I don't have any symptoms of diabetes (although I have always drunk a lot at night and since I was a little girl I've had a touch of what is known as "visual snow"; I barely notice it though) except for recent weight loss although I have put that down to breastfeeding. I was in the healthy range before and still am albeit at the bottom.

I'd like to get screened though because my DC has a birth defect that can be linked to maternal diabetes and we will soon be TTC DC2. I know that gestational diabetes is a different entity.

If I go along to Lloyds or somewhere for a type 2 screen, will that definitely rule out diabetes? What about the difference between type 1 and 2?

If it's not that definitive, does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere to go privately and what sort of test I should be looking for? (Ie random, fasting whatever)

Thanks

Well you could go to Lloyds for a T2 test if you dont want to bother your GP. But untimately your GP/Diabetic nurse would be the one helping you to manage any possible Diabetes

The test at Lloyd’s will be a ‘live’ test in thatvit tells you what your blood sugar is at that moment (more or less). It’s pretty reliable, although in theory if you’re in the early stages it could be missed, or if for example you’d lowered your sugar through exercise or similar. If you are diabetic it’s lielly to pick it up, but potentially something could be missed.
The GP is more likely to do an hba1c test which gives an indication of your sugars over the previous 2-3 months. So that would be more definitive and reliable.