Question

To find out if a person is diabetic or not, what will be the easiest and the best test he/she should go for:

• A. Fasting Glucose test \
• B. Postprandial test \
• C. $\text{HbA}_{1\text{c}}$ \
• D. Glucose tolerance test

Hint:

$\text{HbA}_{1\text{c}}$ acts as a long-term glycemic logbook because red blood cells live for about 120 days. It cannot be tricked by fasting for just a single day.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Concept Diabetes mellitus screening requires checking plasma glucose levels or markers of long-term glycemic control.

Step 2: Meaning Glycated hemoglobin ($\text{HbA}_{1\text{c}}$) measures the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that have glucose chemically bound to them. This indicates average blood sugar control over the past 2 to 3 months.

Step 3: Analysis * Fasting and postprandial tests (A and B) measure blood sugar at a single point in time and are easily altered by recent meals, physical stress, or fasting duration. * The glucose tolerance test (D) requires drinking a sugary solution followed by multiple blood draws over several hours, making it time-consuming and dynamic. * The $\text{HbA}_{1\text{c}}$ test (C) does not require fasting, can be performed at any time of day, and offers a stable, long-term picture of glycemic control that avoids daily blood sugar fluctuations. This makes it the easiest and most reliable diagnostic tool for diabetes.

Step 4: Conclusion Therefore, $\text{HbA}_{1\text{c}}$ provides the most effective single-draw diagnostic screening tool, corresponding to option C. Final Answer: (C)