New Diabetes test for detection without needles
A new saliva test, in addition to early use of the HbA 1c blood test could pick up type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients earlier than methods in current use, as per a new study. Both tests could both provide an effective and timelier means of disease detection, precipitating earlier intervention, say the respective researchers.
The study identifies 1,5 anhydroglucitol (1,5- AG) in the saliva of patients as a possible marker of type 2 diabetes. And earlier use of the HbA 1c test also helps doing the same.
A strong association of type 2 diabetes with 1,5-AG in saliva has been identified, with saliva 1,5-AG levels showing a high correlation with 1,5-AG levels in the blood and inversely correlated with blood glucose and HbA 1c levels. The data suggest 1,5-AG in saliva constitutes a noninvasive marker for deregulated short-term glycemic control, which can be especially useful as a screening tool for undetected type 2 diabetes.
Importance of detecting type 2 diabetes early in populations facilitates timely intervention with appropriate medication. The saliva test would be one way of expediting speedy diagnosis and treatment.
Diabetes is a really vicious disease, as initially when you get it you don't feel any different; you can live for years without knowing about it, but if you don't adapt your lifestyle you're slowly but continuously destroying your body. more