Main Methods and Significance of Early Screening for Diabetes

Early screening for diabetes is an examination that can detect abnormal changes in blood glucose during the early stage of diabetes, before obvious symptoms appear. The purpose of this screening is to achieve early diagnosis and early intervention, so as to minimize the risk of complications.
I. Purpose of Screening

Early detectionScreening can identify people with diabetes or prediabetes who have no obvious symptoms, such as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance.
Prevention of complicationsOnce abnormal blood glucose is found, early intervention can control blood glucose levels, greatly reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, retinopathy and other complications.
Management of high‑risk groupsTargeted screening can be performed for people with risk factors such as family history, obesity and hypertension, so as to achieve early detection and early treatment.

II. Main Screening Methods

Fasting plasma glucose testRequires fasting for more than 8 hours.Normal range: 3.9–6.1 mmol/LA value ≥7.0 mmol/L may indicate diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)Blood glucose is measured at 1 hour and 2 hours after drinking 75 g glucose solution on an empty stomach.A 2‑hour value ≥11.1 mmol/L may indicate diabetes.
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testReflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months.HbA1c ≥6.5% may indicate diabetes.
Random plasma glucose testCan be done at any time.A value ≥11.1 mmol/L should be interpreted together with clinical symptoms.

III. Who Should Be Screened?
Target groups include:

People aged 45 years or older
Overweight or obese (BMI ≥24 kg/m²)
Family history of diabetes
History of gestational diabetes or macrosomic delivery
Hypertension or hyperlipidemia

IV. Significance of Screening

Early interventionLifestyle adjustments (diet, exercise) can be implemented in the prediabetic stage, and may even reverse the progression to diabetes.
Personalized treatmentIndividualized medication and monitoring plans can be formulated based on screening results.
Long‑term health managementRegular follow‑up helps maintain stable blood glucose and protect health.

For health benefits, high‑risk groups are recommended to undergo diabetes screening every 1–2 years.The choice of screening items should be determined by a doctor according to individual conditions.