Are You Being Screened for Prediabetes? Why Early Diagnosis Matters.

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The number of adults 18 and older with prediabetes has grown to 115.2 million in the U.S. That’s an increase of nearly 30 million people in the last ten years. Today more than 2 in 5 adults have blood sugar that’s higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Of that 115.2 million, 8 out of 10 are not aware they have the condition because, like diabetes, in the early stages the condition does not cause symptoms for many people.

If left untreated, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, which in turn can lead to a number of serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (which can cause cirrhosis and increase the risk of liver failure and cancer), nerve damage, eye problems, skin and soft tissue infections, and a higher risk of developing dementia. However, with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, a healthy diet, and regular moderate intensity exercise, as well as medication when needed, people with prediabetes can lower their blood sugar and the risk of developing of diabetes and avoid the serious complications it can cause.

Ten years ago, a study found that nearly half of the family physicians surveyed did not follow national guidelines for screening patients who may be at risk for prediabetes. The good news is that has changed and now approximately 92% of the people at risk are being screened, according to a claims analysis.

Who should be screened for prediabetes?

The United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend that asymptomatic adults ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese should be screened for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. If results are normal, retesting every three years is recommended.

The American Diabetes Association has broader screening guidelines. The association recommends screening starting at 35 regardless of weight or other risk factors and screening for children who are overweight or obese and have one or more risk factor (family history of diabetes, low birth weight, mother with gestational diabetes, belonging to an ethnic group or race with a higher risk of diabetes).

There are a number of factors other than weight that may increase your risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes:

For women, having gestational diabetes, giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, or having polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (formerly PCOS)
Having heart disease
Having a parent, brother, or sister who has diabetes
Having high blood pressure
Having low HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and/or high triglyceride levels
Having obstructive sleep apnea, which increases your risk of developing insulin resistance
Being African American, Native American, Latin American, or Asian/Pacific Islander
Having a larger waist (more than 40 inches for males and 35 inches for females)
Smoking
Eating a diet high in red meat, processed foods, saturated fat, and sugar
Not being active

What questions should you ask your physician to ensure you get the screening you need?

The first step to help ensure you’re undergoing appropriate prediabetes screening is to talk with your physician about your personal risk for developing prediabetes and diabetes. Depending on your personal and family health history, your physician will recommend an appropriate screening strategy.

To start the conversation, ask these questions:

Do I have risk factors for prediabetes/diabetes?
What steps can I take to lower my risk of prediabetes?
What lifestyle changes should I make? Ask for specific diet and exercise recommendations that are appropriate for you.
Do I need to take medication or can I try lowering my risk through lifestyle changes first?
If medication is prescribed, what are the potential side effects?
How often should I see you for follow-up and testing to check my blood sugar?
Should I see a specialist, such as an endocrinologist?
Does having prediabetes increase my risk of developing other health problems?
If I’m already living with a chronic health condition like heart disease, what’s the best approach to manage both conditions effectively?

Steps to take now to lower your risk of prediabetes

There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of developing prediabetes or even reverse prediabetes and reach normal blood glucose levels. Your health advisor can connect you with specialists in nutrition, exercise, and stress management to help you build a personalized plan to decrease your risk of prediabetes.

Lose a small amount of weight if you’re overweight. The idea of losing 20 or more pounds can be daunting but losing just 5 to 7% of your body weight if you’re overweight has been associated with a reduction in prediabetes and diabetes. That’s about 10 to 14 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds.
Be more active. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week or a combination of both types of exercise. Activity helps in several ways—weight loss and management and using blood glucose and insulin efficiently.
Choose a healthier diet. Good food choices include non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, fruit, whole grains, low fat diary, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, legumes, and high fiber foods. Avoid sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, highly processed foods, and high saturated fat and high sugar foods.
Get enough sleep and address sleep issues: Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep and if you have sleep apnea, talk with your physician about treatment options.
If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases insulin resistance, a contributing factor to developing prediabetes and diabetes.
Manage modifiable risk factors: Work with your physician to effectively manage risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and low LDL cholesterol.
Lower stress levels: Chronic stress can raise the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in your blood, which contributes to insulin resistance. Try stress management techniques like breathing exercises, physical activity, yoga, tai chi, meditation, and spending time with people you care about.

Connect with PinnacleCare

For more information about how PinnacleCare’s Health Advisors could assist you with prediabetes screening support or diabetes care, connect with us today.

Top 5 FAQs About Prediabetes

1. What is prediabetes and why is screening so important?

In the early stages, many people may have no symptoms. But with prediabetes, even without symptoms, blood sugar is higher than normal (just not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis). Screening can identify the condition early, when reversal may still be possible.

2. Who should be screened for prediabetes?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese, while the American Diabetes Association recommends screening starting at age 35 regardless of weight or other factors.

3. What are common risk factors for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes?

Risk factors include family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, smoking, a larger waist size, low activity levels, and a diet high in red meat, processed foods, saturated fat and sugar.

4. Can prediabetes be reversed?

Prediabetes can often be improved or reversed with steps such as losing a small amount of weight, being more active, choosing a healthier diet, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, and managing stress.

5. What questions should I ask my doctor about prediabetes screening?

Ask your doctor if you need a prediabetes screening test based on common diabetes risk factors such as your age, weight, family history, blood pressure, etc. You can also ask how often to check your blood sugar, and what lifestyle changes, medication options, or specialist care may help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

PinnacleCare is a member of the Sun Life Financial Inc. (“Sun Life”) family of companies. PinnacleCare and its employees do not diagnose medical conditions, recommend treatment options or provide medical care, and any information or services provided should not be considered medical advice. Any medical decisions should be made only after consultation with and at the direction of your medical provider. Any person or entity who provides health care services following a referral or other service provided does so independently and not as an agent or representative of PinnacleCare.

PCWC-10116-51 #4597265582 10/26 (exp. 10/28)

Published On: November 10, 2026Categories: Preventive Care & Longevity

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