  A general diagnostic characteristic for diabetes mellitus is hyperglycemia. Since medical conditions (such as stress) and medications can result in hyperglycemia as a side effect, special care must be taken to diagnose the condition properly.
Diagnostic tests include:
- Fasting blood glucose: Hyperglycemia (BG >140 mg/dl on more than one occasion).
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): A fasting patient drinks a 100gm glucose solution, and blood glucose is measured at baseline, 60 min, and 120 min. The diabetic OGTT curve peaks higher and resolves more slowly.
- Urine glucose: Not a good diagnostic tool. Renal threshhold for glucose is 180 mg/dl, so hyperglycemia can occur without glycosuria.
- ---- More on glycosuria ----
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