Should You Get Screened for Diabetes?

Why Diabetes Screening is Important

It’s not unusual for cases of type 2 diabetes to go undiagnosed, primarily due to the lack of noticeable symptoms. This opens people in these cases up to a wide variety of health risks, including the following:

• Chronic hyperglycemia: Associated with damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels
• Higher risk of stroke, peripheral vascular disease and coronary heart disease
• Higher risk of cholesterol issues, high blood pressure and obesity
• Nerve damage

Rates of diabetes are on the rise, as well. Between the years 1988 and 1994, diabetes was found in 5.5 percent of the US population—that rate nearly doubled, to 10.8 percent, between the years 2011 and 2014. This makes the need for early screening all the more important.

Diabetes Risk Factors

The most common risk factors of diabetes include:

• Weight: A body mass index of 25 or higher could mean you’re at higher risk.
• Genetics: A family history of diabetes puts you at higher risk, as does being a certain race or ethnicity: African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders may be at higher risk. In addition, a history of gestational diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance can raise risk.
• Blood pressure: Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher in adults.
• Regular physical inactivity.
• Delivery of a baby over nine pounds in weight.
• Irregular lipid/cholesterol levels: HDL cholesterol of 35 mg/dL or less, or triglyceride levels of 250 mg/dL or higher.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.

When Should You Get Screened?

Per the American Diabetes Association, recommendations for the timing of diabetes screenings are as follows:

• For normal risk levels: Everyone should be screened for diabetes every three years starting at age 45.
• People who are overweight or obese should be particularly diligent about starting screening at this time.
• For people with multiple risk factors listed above: Screening should be done more often and at an earlier age.
• People with high blood pressure or high cholesterol should be screened to help reduce instances of cardiovascular disease.

Your doctor can offer further recommendations on the proper timing and importance of diabetes screening tests.

Revere Health Orem Family Medicine is devoted to comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages, and committed to provide thorough and timely health care for the entire family throughout all stages of life.