Screening is a way to check for type 2 diabetes in people who do not have symptoms of the disease, but who may likely develop diabetes in the future. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems. Early diagnosis of diabetes allows for early treatment.
WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES?
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
• Family history of diabetes.
• Obesity or being overweight.
• Certain racial or ethnic groups:
○ American Indian.
○ Pacific Islander.
○ Hispanic.
○ Asian.
○ African American.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• History of diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes).
• Delivering a baby that weighed over 9 lb (4.1 kg).
• Being inactive.
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WHO SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES?
Adults
• Adults who have no risk factors and no symptoms should be screened starting at age 45. If the screening tests are normal, they should be repeated every 3 years.
• Adults who do not have symptoms, but have 1 or more risk factors, should be screened.
• Adults who have 2 or more risk factors may be screened every year.
• · Adults who have an A1c (3 month average of blood glucose) greater than 5.7% or who had an impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) on a previous test should be screened.
• Pregnant women who have risk factors should be screened at their first prenatal visit.
• Women who have given birth and had gestational diabetes should be screened 6–12 weeks after the child is born. This screening should be repeated every 1–3 years after the first test.
Children and Adolescents
• Children and adolescents should be screened for type 2 diabetes if they are overweight and have 2 of the following risk factors:
• Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• Being a member of a high risk race or ethnic