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I have knee pain and fatigue. What tests diagnose diabetes?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have some concerns about my health and am wondering if I might have type 2 diabetes. Recently, I have been experiencing frequent hunger and persistent fatigue. I also often feel tired and experience knee pain when climbing stairs.

Could you advise me on which tests I should take to determine if I have this condition? Specifically, should these tests be done before or after meals? Are there any tests beyond blood tests that I should consider, and which tests are considered the most reliable for diagnosing type 2 diabetes? Please help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Sugandh Garg

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugandh Garg is a qualified medical professional with an MBBS degree and an MD in Forensic Medicine, with significant experience as a COVID-19 expert. Since March 2020, he has been actively working with the government civil hospital COVID team, managing emergency cases and overseeing quarantine and isolation protocols. He has played a key role in supporting COVID-19 patients through structured treatment guidance and diet protocols, contributing to effective patient care during the pandemic.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Tests you should consider for diagnosing type 2 diabetes are:

  1. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) test measures your blood glucose levels after fasting for at least eight hours (typically overnight). A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests usually indicates diabetes.
  2. HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin test) measures your average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. An HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher is an indicator of diabetes.
  3. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), for this test, your blood sugar is measured after fasting and then again two hours after drinking a sugary solution. If your blood sugar level is 200 mg/dL or higher after two hours, it suggests diabetes. This test helps assess how your body responds to glucose.
  4. A random blood sugar test can be done at any time, regardless of when you last ate. A random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher, along with symptoms of diabetes, may indicate the condition.
  5. Urine tests are used to detect glucose or ketones in the urine, which may suggest high blood sugar levels.
  6. A lipid profile and blood pressure monitoring should also be considered.

Since you are also experiencing knee pain, this could be related to weight, joint health, or early signs of diabetic neuropathy if diabetes is present. A physical examination by your doctor is essential.

Feel free to follow up with more questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At December 27, 2024
Reviewed At June 18, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugandh Garg is a qualified medical professional with an MBBS degree and an MD in Forensic Medicine, with significant experience as a COVID-19 expert. Since March 2020, he has been actively working with the government civil hospital COVID team, managing emergency cases and overseeing quarantine and isolation protocols. He has played a key role in supporting COVID-19 patients through structured treatment guidance and diet protocols, contributing to effective patient care during the pandemic.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Dr. Sugandh Garg
Dr. Sugandh Garg

Internal Medicine

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugandh Garg is a qualified medical professional with an MBBS degree and an MD in Forensic Medicine, with significant experience as a COVID-19 expert. Since March 2020, he has been actively working with the government civil hospital COVID team, managing emergency cases and overseeing quarantine and isolation protocols. He has played a key role in supporting COVID-19 patients through structured treatment guidance and diet protocols, contributing to effective patient care during the pandemic.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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