There are many contributing factors that can indicate diabetes. Using a diabetes self test, you can assess your risk for the disease. The diabetes self test begins with a series of health-related questions that may help determine whether or not you'll require additional testing.

Diabetes Self Test Questionnaire

In 2009, researchers conducted a comprehensive diabetes risk assessment using information gathered from 5,258 people 20 or older. This voluntary information included results from fasting plasma glucose tests, family history, personal medical history, and information about one's demographic and socioeconomic status.^[1] With the help of this information, researchers concluded that inactivity and age play a large role in diabetes. They also developed a simple six question assessment to help calculate one's risk for the disease.

With diabetes and childhood obesity on the rise, the American Diabetes Association also created their own diabetes self test questionnaire. The organization's website offers a quick and straightforward diabetes risk test, including questions about gender, age, race, height, weight, personal medical history, and family history. Since these risk factors are attributed to diabetes, it's important to answer these questions truthfully.

Although you're unable to change your gender, age, race or family history, you can still improve your health, lowering your risk for diabetes. Acknowledging that you're at risk is the first step towards preventing the disease. Obesity is one of the most common risk factors associated with Type 2 diabetes; however, you can fend off this type of diabetes by exercising more and eating healthier.

Home Urine Test

If a diabetes self test, like the ones list above, determine that you're at risk for diabetes, you may want to perform a home urine test. This type of self test is a safe and inexpensive way to check a person's blood sugar. A home urine test is relatively easy to perform. Pending the directions on the label, you immerse a test strip into a sample cup. You then use the color guide provided by the test kit to determine your blood sugar range. These results, although helpful, are not as accurate as an A1c test, random blood sugar test, fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in determining your diabetes risk. However, if a diabetes self test and home urine test point to diabetes, you will want to schedule a more precise diagnostic test.

Home Glucose Testing

If you're diagnosed with diabetes, you will need to perform home glucose testing to ensure that your blood sugar level remains stable. You may need to check your glucose 2 to 4 times a day. If this is the case, you will need to purchase a glucose meter, test strips, a lancing device (to draw blood), and lancets. Using these materials, you can see how lifestyle factors, like diet, exercise, medication, and stress, affect your blood sugar. This type of diabetes self test is the most effective form of self-monitoring because you can make adjustments throughout the day to better manage your blood sugar.

A diabetes self test is a helpful way to see how well your body processes glucose. It can also indicate whether or not you need to seek additional assistance. Talk with your doctor to learn more about the benefits of self testing.