For the diabetic maintaining their blood sugar level in the normal range is key to successfully managing their disease. Without proper blood glucose control the diabetic risks a variety of disorders and complications that are caused by high blood sugar levels. Left untreated for a long period of time diabetes can become a life threatening illness.

When first diagnosed a doctor is looking for blood sugar levels within a certain range. There are three tests that can be used in diagnosing diabetes. These tests all require a blood draw and if the test comes back positive then that diagnosis must be confirmed on a following day using one of the three tests.

The three tests that can be used to diagnose diabetes and blood sugar levels that are looked for as recommended by the American Diabetes Association are:

1. Casual plasma glucose level at or above 200 mg/dL. This is in addition to showing symptoms of diabetes. The casual test can be taken anytime of the day regardless of the last time the person being tested ate.

2. The fasting plasma glucose test is done at least eight hours after the person has had their last intake of calories. The criteria for a positive result with this test are a plasma glucose greater then 126 mg/dL.

3. The two hour oral glucose tolerance test. This test is done by the patient drinking a glucose solution containing 75 anhydrous glucose dissolved in water. Blood is drawn two hours after drinking the solution and a positive result is a plasma glucose level greater than 200 mg/dL.

Once the diagnosis of diabetes is made it is important for the diabetic to work to maintain their blood sugar level within a certain range. This is done through self monitoring of blood glucose using a blood glucose monitor. Doing so will allow diabetics to monitor and control metabolic control of their disease and lessen the risk of hypo or hyperglycemia, both of which can have negative risks.

The diabetic blood sugar level that those with diabetes should try and maintain is between 70 to 120 mg/dL either before a meal, like breakfast, or four to five hours after their last meal or snack. Blood sugar will go up after any meal or snack and ideally it should drop to under 200 mg/dL about two hours after that meal.

By keeping tight blood sugar control the diabetic can live a long and healthy life and lower their risk for the many complications that include vision degradation, kidney disease, nerve damage and heart disease.