More than 38 million Americans have diabetes, accounting for about 1 in 10 people. However, because the disease often develops slowly and presents subtle symptoms, many at-risk patients don’t know it.
Since November is National Diabetes Month, the team at Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic in Aurora, Colorado, encourages those at risk to consider preventive screening. Keep reading to see if you’re a candidate, what screening involves, and how to assess your diabetes risk.
We encourage any adult 35 or older to undergo diabetes screening at least once every three years. That’s particularly true if you have certain risk factors, such as:
Screening may also be beneficial if you’re overweight or obese.
Even if you feel fine, a blood sugar test can provide peace of mind. Diabetes rarely presents obvious symptoms in its early stages, but it can increase your risk of heart disease, nerve damage, and other problems.
Prompt diagnosis reduces the risk of complications and improves treatment outcomes.
The term diabetes screening may sound vague, but it includes several tests that can help detect high blood sugar. Depending on your health history and needs, we may suggest:
This test measures your blood sugar (glucose) levels after fasting overnight. It’s often the first test we recommend to check for prediabetes and diabetes.
This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. It provides a more complete picture of your glucose control, helping us assess your diabetes risk to guide treatment.
Similar to an FBG test, an OGTT requires you to fast overnight. Afterward, you drink a sugary liquid, and we measure your glucose levels at intervals over several hours. That shows how your body handles sugar and helps detect gestational diabetes, prediabetes, and diabetes.
The easiest way to determine your diabetes risk is to schedule a screening appointment with our team. However, other signs and factors can help clue you in.
For example, lifestyle habits such as exercise, diet, and weight often contribute to diabetes, so a quick evaluation can help you determine if you might benefit from screening.
If you’re 35 or older, rarely exercise, tend to eat highly processed foods, and are 10 or more pounds over your ideal weight, get screened. A few simple tests can measure your blood sugar and determine the best course of action for your situation.
If you’re concerned about developing diabetes, schedule a screening appointment today. Call us at 303-351-1800 or book your visit online. Diabetes can’t be cured, but lifestyle changes and medication can prevent the condition from worsening and help you live a long, healthy life.
