The way that diabetes is diagnosed in the United States is about to change. Later this year, an expert panel organized by the American Diabetes Association will issue a report making blood level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) an accepted method for diagnosing diabetes, according to staffers from the ADA. Although the decision is not yet finalized, “the group will likely recommend [HbA1c] as the preferred test,” placing it above the current diagnostic standard (the fasting blood glucose level) and also above the historic criterion for diabetes diagnosis (the glucose tolerance test), said Dr. Sue Kirkman, the ADA's vice president for...