Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone used to convert food into energy. It is a chronic disease that can be detected by measuring blood sugar (also called glucose) levels.
Life Line Screening offers a glucose screening to help detect type 2 diabetes. This simple finger-stick screening measures blood sugar levels following 8 hours of fasting. It is used to help identify diabetes, as well as to monitor blood sugar control in patients already diagnosed with the disease.
What you can learn
This screening is a simple way for you to learn if your blood sugar is normal, moderately high, or very high, according to the American Diabetes Association guidelines.
- If your glucose level is <100 mg/dL, it is considered normal. Remember, glucose is only one indicator of diabetes risk. Obesity, family history, ethnicity, age, blood pressure, and cholesterol are also risk factors that should be considered when assessing your overall diabetes risk.
- If your glucose level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, it is considered abnormal. This could indicate pre-diabetes, a condition that increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, but can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes. If your results show that you have pre-diabetes, we will recommend you see your primary care physician to fully evaluate your risk for diabetes.
- If your glucose level is 126 mg/dL or higher, it is considered abnormal. In fact, it could indicate diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition that puts you at risk for stroke, heart disease, and other serious health problems. However, there are many ways to manage diabetes and prevent other complications. We will recommend you see your primary care physician to fully evaluate your risk for diabetes.
Who should have it
According to the American Diabetes Association, people aged 45 and over should have a glucose test every 3 years. Adults with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels should also be screened for diabetes. Anyone with risk factors for diabetes should have this screening. Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes?
Find out.
How often to get screened
According to the American Diabetes Association, people aged 45 and over should have a glucose test every 3 years. Many of our customers have a glucose screening as part of their regular healthcare regimen.
How to prepare
You must fast for 8 hours prior to your glucose screening.