Are You at Risk for Diabetes? The Importance of Blood Sugar Testing
Author: Becky Espinel, RDN
As a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), I often discuss the importance of blood sugar management. Healthcare providers routinely test blood sugar levels because high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can signal prediabetes or diabetes, conditions that require early intervention to prevent complications.
Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in the U.S., largely due to sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits. Many people don’t realize that damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, can begin in the prediabetes stage.
Prediabetes is when blood sugar is elevated but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Without intervention, it often progresses to type 2 diabetes. However, lifestyle changes—such as a healthier diet, increased physical activity, and weight loss—can help prevent diabetes. Some individuals may also benefit from medications to reduce their risk.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or when the body’s cells can’t use insulin properly, a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin is essential for converting sugar into energy. When insulin isn’t functioning correctly, blood sugar rises, leading to serious health risks.
Adults with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. High blood sugar also increases the risk of kidney disease, vision problems, amputations, and certain cancers.
Screening and Risk Factors
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends screening for overweight children and teens with at least two of the following risk factors: a family history of diabetes, high-risk ethnic background, or signs of insulin resistance.
For adults, those ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese should be screened for diabetes or prediabetes. Testing should be repeated every three years if results are normal, or more frequently for those at higher risk.
Common risk factors for type 2 diabetes include: being over 35, overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25), family history of diabetes, high blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg), low HDL (“good”) cholesterol or high triglycerides, lack of physical activity, high-risk ethnicity, history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Recognizing Symptoms
Early detection is crucial. Some warning signs include:
- Fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Sores that don’t heal
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tingling in hands or feet
- Intermittent blurred vision.
How Diabetes is Diagnosed
The ADA recommends the A1C blood test, which measures average blood sugar over three months. An A1C below 5.7% is normal, 5.7–6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher signals diabetes. Unlike other tests, the A1C doesn’t require fasting, making it easier to diagnose diabetes early.
Monitoring blood sugar levels and making healthy lifestyle choices can prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. With early detection, improved nutrition, and regular physical activity, individuals can take charge of their health and reduce their risk of serious complications.
Becky Espinel is a registered dietitian nutritionist with Barton Nutrition. Learn more about Barton’s team of dietitians, offering patients personalized nutrition therapy and counseling services based on each person’s unique needs by calling 530.543.5825.
