Type 2 diabetes is extremely common and getting more so every year. At the moment, about 38 million Americans already have the disease. And each year, more than a million people in the U.S. receive a diabetes diagnosis.
Even though those numbers are very high, there’s a good chance the actual number of cases is even higher. “Part of the challenge is that a lot of people who have diabetes don’t know they have it,” says Beatriz Martinez, M.D., an endocrinologist at Henry Ford Health. “Often it goes undiagnosed for years.”
When you don’t know you have diabetes, you aren’t treating it. And that can lead to an increased risk of other health conditions.
Why Diabetes Can Go Unnoticed
Like high blood pressure, diabetes is often considered a silent disease. “That’s because in its early stages, symptoms are minimal, or you may have none at all,” says Dr. Martinez. “And when you feel normal, you don’t talk to your doctor about it.”
The only way to know for sure if you have diabetes is to get screened for the disease. Simple blood tests can measure your glucose levels. But if you don’t get those tests, the disease can be easily overlooked.
This is especially true in younger populations. A recent study found that of the 44% of people living with undiagnosed diabetes, many were between the ages of 15 and 35. “Younger people are less likely to get screened, but the disease is becoming more common in those age groups,” says Dr. Martinez.
Who Should Be Tested for Diabetes
Current screening guidelines from the American Diabetes Association recommend that adults over 35 be tested regularly for diabetes. How frequently you should be tested may depend on your individual risk factors.
Factors that increase your risk of diabetes include:
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Overweight or obesity
- Race/ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are at increased risk)
- Sedentary lifestyle
“Screening is the best tool we have for catching diabetes early,” says Dr. Martinez. “So if you have one or more risk factors, it’s especially important to talk to your doctor about diabetes testing.”
Early Signs of Diabetes You Shouldn’t Ignore
While it’s not uncommon for people with early diabetes to experience no symptoms, there are some warning signs you should look out for.
Diabetes Management at Henry Ford Health
“These symptoms are often overlooked, but they are red flags that you shouldn’t ignore,” says Dr. Martinez. Early symptoms that could indicate diabetes include:
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue
- Increased thirst
- More frequent urination
- Slow healing of cuts
How Untreated Diabetes Affects Your Health
When early signs go unheeded, the disease can progress. Having undiagnosed and untreated diabetes means living with uncontrolled high blood sugar. And that can be dangerous.
Health complications associated with untreated or poorly managed diabetes include:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack or stroke
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Neuropathy
- Vision problems
“Too often, people aren’t diagnosed and don’t receive treatment until they experience some of these more serious complications,” says Dr. Martinez. “By then, it may be more difficult to treat or reverse those conditions.”
To prevent the health risks that come with high blood sugar, it’s important to seek treatment that helps effectively control it. In addition to medication to help stabilize blood sugar levels, there are several lifestyle changes that can reduce the risks of diabetes complications. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet that focuses on whole foods and limits ultra-processed ones
- Getting regular exercise
- Losing weight
“Don’t underestimate the power of small changes,” says Dr. Martinez. “Losing just 5% of your body weight and cutting out sodas and sugary drinks from your diet can make a big difference.”
Reviewed by Beatriz Martinez, M.D., an endocrinologist who sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Center-Columbus and Henry Ford Medical Center-New Center One.
