Anyone 45 years old or older should consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are 45 or older and overweight, getting tested is strongly recommended. If you are younger than 45, overweight, and have one or more of the risk factors on page 5, you should consider testing. Ask your doctor for a fasting blood glucose test or an oral glucose tolerance test. Your doctor will tell you if you have normal blood glucose, pre-diabetes, or diabetes.

Besides being older and overweight, what other factors increase my risk for type 2 diabetes?

To find out your risk for type 2 diabetes, check each item that applies to you.

	I have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes.
	My family background is Alaska Native, American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.
	I have had gestational diabetes, or I gave birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds.
	My blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or higher, or I have been told that I have high blood pressure.
	My cholesterol levels are not normal. My HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) is below 35 mg/dL, or my triglyceride level is above 250 mg/dL.
	I am fairly inactive. I exercise fewer than three times a week.
	I have polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS (women only).
	On previous testing, I had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
	I have other clinical conditions associated with insulin resistance (acanthosis nigricans).
	I have a history of cardiovascular disease.

The more items you checked, the higher your risk.

What does having pre-diabetes mean?

Pre-diabetes means your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range. It also means you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The good news is: You can reduce the risk of getting diabetes and even return to normal blood glucose levels with modest weight loss and moderate physical activity. If you are told you have pre-diabetes, have your blood glucose checked again in 1 to 2 years.

Content Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health

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