Screening adults for type 2 diabetes

You can use the American Diabetes Association's risk test for diabetes to see whether you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

If you are age 45 or older, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you get tested for diabetes every 3 years. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends diabetes testing for people who have either high cholesterol or high blood pressure.¹ Talk with your doctor about what is putting you at risk and how often you need to be tested.

The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for prediabetes-which may lead to type 2 diabetes-if you:²

• Are overweight and are age 45 or older. Get checked for prediabetes during your next routine office visit.
• Are at a healthy weight and are age 45 or older. During a routine office visit, ask your doctor if testing is appropriate.
• Are younger than 45 and overweight-your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or greater-and you have one or more other things that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. These include:
  • High blood pressure, over 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
  • Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high triglyceride.
  • A family history of type 2 diabetes. People who have a parent, brother, or sister with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes have a greater risk of getting the disease than adults who do not have a family history of the disease.
  • A history of gestational diabetes or having a baby weighing more than 9lb. Women who have had gestational diabetes or who have had a large baby are at greater-than-average risk for getting type 2 diabetes later in life.³
  • Risk due to race or ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at greater risk than whites for getting type 2 diabetes.³
• Are overweight and get little or no exercise and want to help reduce your risk for getting type 2 diabetes.

For more information, see the topic Type 2 Diabetes.

Citations

1. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Agency for Healthcare and Research (2003). Screening for Diabetes Mellitus, Adult Type 2. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsdiab.htm.

2. American Diabetes Association (2004). Frequently asked questions about pre-diabetes. Available online: http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/faq.jsp.

3. American Diabetes Association (2004). Screening for type 2 diabetes. Clinical Practice Recommendations 2004. Diabetes Care, 27(Suppl 1): S11–S14.