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1 Out Of 3 Americans are Pre-Diabetic, and 90% of Them Don’t Know About it. Are You at Risk​?

Woman rejecting junk food or unhealthy food such as donuts and choosing healthy food such as a green apple and salad for having a good health. Dieting and good health concept.

1 out of 3 Americans are pre-diabetic and 90% of them don’t know about it (according to the statistics published by the government agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 84 million people have prediabetes, which puts them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Prediabetes has no clear symptoms and therefore can go undetected for many years until serious health problems arise. It is not guaranteed that your doctor is screening for prediabetes during your annual physical, which is why most people don’t know that they are pre-diabetic.

What causes prediabetes? When cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin (a hormone made by your pancreas to let blood sugar into cells) your pancreas “overworks” to produce more insulin to try to get cells to respond. After awhile, your pancreas can’t keep up and as a result your blood sugar rises – causing prediabetes.

Are You At Risk Of Prediabetes?

CGM Sensor and Phone

You can find out by completing this free and simple assessment tool run by the American Diabetes Association. A high score on this risk assessment means that it is likely that you have prediabetes, but only a blood test or fasting blood glucose test can tell for sure.

It is not guaranteed that your doctor is screening for prediabetes during your annual physical. Take control of your health and consider ordering a A1C blood test or a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).

What is a CGM? A small sensor place on the back of your upper arm that automatically monitors your glucose day and night and allows you to see the results on your smartphone.

Metformin Lowered Risk of Diabetes by 31%

If you are prediabetic, you should know about the Diabetes Prevention Program Study, a major clinical trial, that has clearly demonstrated that exercise, diet and Metformin meaningfully lowers risk of Type 2 diabetes. If you’re interested in learning more about Metformin or completing an online doctors visit to see if it is right for you, CLICK HERE.

Disclaimer: If your CGM results indicate likelihood of prediabetes, make sure to follow up with your primary care physician.