There are two primary forms of diabetes—type 1 and type 2. Five to 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1, a form of the disease predominately found in children and young adults. Type 2, the most common form of diabetes, is usually diagnosed in adults, primarily in those older than age 55. However, because 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, as the rate of obesity has risen in children, so has the number of children who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Why have a diabetes test?
Of the 23.6 million people suffering from diabetes in the United States, nearly 6 million are unaware they have the disease. The disease can develop slowly and complications may be present by the time the diagnosis is made.

Most people first become aware of their diabetes through a routine blood test or a blood test done for another condition. Different tests detect diabetes, including a random sugar test (normally part of a routine blood test) or a fasting plasma glucose test. Because blood sugar is affected dramatically by diet, the fasting test is the preferred method for diagnosis.

Who should be screened for diabetes?
All adults should have a fasting glucose test at age 45. If diabetes is not detected, the test probably does not have to be repeated for three years. However, you should discuss with your physician the best screening schedule based on your risk factors. For example, your physician may wish to test you more frequently if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. In addition, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans are at a higher risk than Caucasians.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Most people with type 2 diabetes do not recognize the symptoms because the disease develops slowly. When you have too much blood sugar or glucose in your body, it can draw water from the body’s tissues. Hence, many of the symptoms of diabetes are a direct result of your body’s reaction to this dehydration.

Symptoms include: