What type of test primarily determines the presence of diabetes?

The glucose tolerance test is specifically designed to measure the body’s response to glucose and is a critical tool in diagnosing diabetes. During the test, a person consumes a glucose-rich beverage, and their blood sugar levels are measured at intervals. If the blood glucose levels rise beyond normal ranges during the test, it suggests that the body is not effectively processing glucose, indicating potential diabetes.

The other tests serve different purposes; for instance, a blood pressure test monitors cardiovascular health rather than glucose metabolism, a lipid panel assesses cholesterol levels and fat in the blood but does not indicate glucose regulation, and a complete blood count provides various blood component levels but is not aimed at diagnosing diabetes. Thus, the glucose tolerance test is the most relevant for determining the presence of diabetes.