Get ahead of Type 2 diabetes with regular screenings
- Category: Diabetes
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Type 2 diabetes means your body has trouble moving glucose (or sugar) from your blood into your cells for energy. As a result, too much sugar stays in your blood. It can be hard to diagnose diabetes because it’s good at flying under the radar. For one, it can take years to develop. Two, diabetes also may not cause any symptoms. At least not at first.
But don’t be fooled—diabetes can have high-impact effects on your health and your life. It can come with its own symptoms and increase your risk for kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, and other health problems. That’s why diabetes screening is so important.
What is diabetes screening?
Diabetes screening is testing for the disease before you have symptoms. Just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have diabetes or its precursor, prediabetes.
To perform a diabetes screening, your primary care provider will order a blood test—sometimes more than one—to check the amount of sugar in your blood. The two most common types of tests are:
Fasting plasma glucose test: For this test, you must avoid eating or drinking anything except water beginning at least eight hours before the test. A blood sample is tested, with results classified as follows, based on blood sugar level (measured in milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL): healthy blood sugar is tested for blood sugar level, with higher results indicating:
Less than 100 mg/dL is a healthy sample
100–125 mg/dL means you have prediabetes
126 mg/dL or higher means you have diabetes
A1C test: This test allows your provider to get a more long-term view of your diabetes risk by seeing your average blood sugar level during the past three months. If your A1C is:
Less than 5.7%, you are non-diabetic
5.7–6.4%, you have prediabetes
6.5% or higher, you have diabetes
If your diabetes screening shows you have prediabetes or diabetes, your provider will explain how you can manage the condition. It’s important to start managing it as soon as possible to reduce your risk of complications, such as heart disease and kidney damage. With help from your medical team, you can stay well and even thrive.
When should you have a diabetes screening?
Talk with your primary care provider about when to have a diabetes screening based on your risk factors. For example, one risk factor for diabetes is increased weight. This is why the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends beginning diabetes screening at age 35 for anyone dealing with obesity or being overweight.
If your test results are in a healthy range, you may only need a diabetes screening every three years. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll need an A1C test at least twice per year. You should continue with diabetes screening until age 70, but your provider may recommend continued or additional screenings.
How can you lower your risk for diabetes?
There are a few steps you can take now to decrease your risk of diabetes.
Know your diabetes risk factors
Several factors can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes, including:
Age: According to the American Diabetes Association, about 30% of Americans over age 65 have diabetes
Weight: Overweight or obese
Family history of diabetes
Personal history of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
Lack of physical activity
Take steps that help prevent diabetes
It’s not always possible to avoid diabetes, but you can do a lot to help prevent or delay it if you have prediabetes. Getting regular diabetes screenings is a great place to start. Here are some other anti-diabetes steps you can take:
Watch what you eat: Prioritize eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting or avoiding salt- and sugar-rich processed foods.
Be more physically active: Regular exercise reduces the risk of diabetes by lowering blood sugar. It can also help you lose weight. A past study found that losing 5–10% of body weight and exercising at least 150 minutes each week decreased the risk of diabetes by half.
Quit smoking: If you smoke, your body may have a harder time using insulin, which helps send sugar from your blood to your cells. Insulin issues increase your diabetes risk.
Work with a provider you trust
Your primary care provider is a key partner in helping you manage or reduce your risk for diabetes. They can also refer you to a diabetes specialist when needed. Learn about our diabetes services at LCMC Health—right here in New Orleans. Our team sets you up for success, so you can stay in control of your diabetes.
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