What fasting plasma glucose value is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus?

What fasting plasma glucose value is diagnostic of diabetes mellitus?

• A. 110 mg/dL
• B. 118 mg/dL
• C. 126 mg/dL
• D. 140 mg/dL

Answer: (C)

Diagnosing diabetes with fasting plasma glucose relies on a specific threshold. A fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher is the level that indicates diabetes, provided it’s confirmed on a second fasting test on a separate day. Values below that are not diagnostic for diabetes, and even a single result above 126 (for example, 140) needs confirmation before the diagnosis is made. So the diagnostic value is 126 mg/dL.

Diagnosing diabetes with fasting plasma glucose relies on a specific threshold. A fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher is the level that indicates diabetes, provided it’s confirmed on a second fasting test on a separate day. Values below that are not diagnostic for diabetes, and even a single result above 126 (for example, 140) needs confirmation before the diagnosis is made. So the diagnostic value is 126 mg/dL.