Diabetes testing and management

Diabetes is a group of health problems* where blood sugar levels are too high. A hormone called insulin usually helps control blood sugar. When a person eats, their blood sugar goes up, and insulin helps move the sugar into cells. This is important because all of the body's cells need energy. When there is not enough insulin, sugar doesn't get in the cells. In people with diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well. This causes sugar to stay in the blood, which can harm organs over time.

There are three common types of diabetes:*

• Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy. It acts like type 2 diabetes and can affect the health of the fetus. Blood sugar levels may return to normal after birth if it’s treated during pregnancy.
• Type 1 diabetes means the pancreas doesn’t make insulin. There isn’t a cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed.
• Type 2 diabetes means the body isn’t using insulin correctly. There isn’t a cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can be managed.

While it's not a type of diabetes, a person can be diagnosed with prediabetes. This means their blood sugar level is higher than normal but hasn't progressed to type 2, yet. Prediabetes can often be reversed with treatment.

Diabetes symptoms can vary* depending on a person’s blood sugar levels:

• Blurred vision
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue
• Feeling thirsty more often
• Infections
• Frequent urination
• Irritability
• Slow-healing sores
• Weight loss

Long-term or untreated diabetes* can lead to heart attack, kidney damage, nerve damage, stroke, vision issues or a weakened immune system.

A health care provider can use a few different types of tests to diagnose diabetes:

• Fasting plasma glucose tests (FPG) measure the blood glucose level at a single point in time. This test is usually done first thing in the morning before breakfast because it requires the person to not eat or drink for at least eight hours.
• Random plasma glucose tests help determine if further testing is needed. This test can be taken at any time and doesn’t require fasting. 
• A1C tests provide average blood glucose levels over the last three months. This helps determine if someone is at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Because it does not require fasting, the test can be given at any time. An A1C test might not be accurate if a person is pregnant or has certain types of anemia or any other blood-related problems.

MinuteClinic® providers can test for and monitor type 2 diabetes. Talk to your primary care provider if you have type 1 or gestational diabetes. 

Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable. A primary care provider helps people manage type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes may be able to be avoided or delayed by diet and exercise. Quitting smoking may also help prevent type 2 diabetes.

• Health care providers recommend 30 minutes of exercise five days a week to help avoid type 2 diabetes. 
• Weight-loss programs and diet changes may help. Add non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, broccoli and peppers to meals. Replace sodas and sugary drinks with water or unsweetened beverages. Lean protein, fruits and whole grains may also help with prevention.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a disorder caused by type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This condition happens when high blood sugar levels damage nerves in the body, especially in the hands and feet. It can cause pain or numbness, making it harder to feel things. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop peripheral neuropathy.

Some common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include the following:

• Heightened sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness that can lead to difficulty moving arms and legs or maintaining an upright posture
• Numbness in the affected area
• Tingling (like pins and needles) or burning sensations in the affected area
• Pain that is sharp, deep or constant

Diabetes is managed with lifestyle changes, medication and testing:*

• Changing to a healthier lifestyle to help keep blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the recommended ranges.
• Developing a treatment plan with a health care provider to identify medication needed.
• Regular testing to help a person understand their symptoms and help a health care provider adjust treatment.

After starting a diabetes treatment plan, regular checkups help keep the condition under control and prevent problems. Regular tests and exams will help see how well the treatment is working and make any necessary adjustments.

To help keep diabetes under control, it's essential to have regular checkups. These visits help health care providers see how well your treatment is working and make any necessary changes to keep a person healthy. Monitoring may include the following:

• A1C (glycated hemoglobin) testing
• Blood pressure checks
• Body mass index (BMI) measurement
• Cholesterol testing
• Kidney function (microalbumin) testing
• Comprehensive foot examination

If diabetes is left untreated, the high glucose levels can create other health conditions and complications, including heart attack, kidney damage, nerve damage, stroke, vision issues or a weakened immune system.

Two common complications include:

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy results from nerve damage, most commonly in the the legs and feet.
• Diabetic retinopathy results from blood vessel damage at the back of the eye (retina).

There is no cure for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but there are ways to manage symptoms, relieve pain and slow its progression. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy brought on by diabetes may include:

• Maintaining appropriate blood-sugar levels as determined by your provider
• Prescribing medication to treat nerve pain
• Lifestyle changes like adjusting your diet, quitting smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol you drink