It is estimated that 86 million Americans age 20 and older have pre-diabetes—a diagnosis that means you are likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Wouldn’t you like to know now if you are at risk? You have that chance to find out at the earliest sign of diabetes and take steps to evaluate and prevent the possible causes of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center have discovered that evaluating the level of your random blood glucose, which is measured when you haven’t fasted for the test, is a reliable way to predict if you have a higher risk of developing pre-diabetes.
When you get a routine blood test, it is currently not standard for the lab to measure the glucose value in your blood. This is a missed opportunity; according to lead study author Dr. Michael Bowen, assistant professor of Internal Medicine, Clinical Sciences, and Pediatrics at UT Southwestern. “Because the vast majority of patients have random blood glucose values in their electronic medical records, there is an opportunity to utilize existing data to prompt a conversation with the patient about testing for diabetes,” Dr. Bowen said in a news release highlighting findings from the study.
For the study, researchers looked at data from 3,792 participants in the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which tested participants for diabetes as part of the survey. Researchers examined the association between random blood glucose level and a patient’s diabetes status in patients without diagnosed diabetes. The research finding were:
– Individuals with a single random blood glucose value less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) were not considered to be at risk.
– Individuals with a single random glucose value greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL were 20-times more likely to have undiagnosed diabetes
– Individuals with single random glucose values of 120 to 139 mg/dL were 30-times as likely to have undiagnosed diabetes.
Current diabetes and pre-diabetes screening guidelines
Three tests are available to screen for and diagnose diabetes:
– Fasting glucose blood test (a value of 126 mg/dL or higher is considered diagnostic)
– Glucose tolerance test (GTT) 3-hour, 4 Specimen
These tests are administered based on diabetes screening guidelines according to your risk of developing the disease. However, there is no standard set of risk factors measured, which means guidelines define diabetes risk differently. For example, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening only when an individual has a sustained elevation in blood pressure. The American Diabetes Association guideline recommends screening all individuals, age 45 and older, and individuals at any age if their BMI is over 25 and they have one additional risk factor, such as a family history of the disease.
Pre-diabetes screening is recommended for individuals when results of an oral glucose tolerance test are abnormal, but fail to reach diagnostic thresholds. It is concerning that many of the 86 million Americans who have pre-diabetes aren’t getting an oral glucose tolerance test or have any idea they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
Know your risk
Diabetes is a disease that causes blood glucose (sugar) to rise to higher than normal levels. This higher-than-normal blood glucose level is also called hyperglycemia. There are several different types of diabetes, but type 2 diabetes is the most common form and it usually develops in mid-age. The causes of type 2 diabetes are the result of a number of factors including: heredity, poor diet, obesity, stress, and can also be induced by certain drugs – such as clozapine.
If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly—this is called insulin resistance. At early onset your pancreas tries to produce extra insulin to make up for the resistance, but isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels. In early stages of diabetes, your cells may be starved for energy. As the disease progresses, your high blood glucose levels can damage your heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. For some people, type 2 diabetes can be controlled with healthy eating and being active. However, your doctor may needs to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels.
You can order a simple blood test with Walk-In Lab and know exactly what your random blood glucose value is and to possibly identify your earliest sign of pre-diabetes. Simply order a blood test, such as our popular Wellness #2 Essential Blood Test Panel: Comprehensive Health Profile. Then visit a local lab to have your blood drawn. Test results are available within 1–2 days.
Walk-In Lab also offers a number of different tests to identify diabetes.
