American Diabetes Association: What Your Physician May Not Tell You

Diabetes is a leading cause of health complications among the adult population in the United States. Commonly linked to obesity, kidney failure, cardiovascular complications, depression and other mental health complications, diabetes, type 1 and type 2, can affect even the healthy and physically fit adult who has no indication the complication is an impending health risk.

Because no one is immune to the development of diabetes, the American Diabetes Association continues to recommend the screening for diabetes in all adults as often as every three years. This recommendation holds true even if you are not at-risk for developing a diabetic complication.

In compliance with this recommendation, healthcare professionals have historically provided screening for diabetes to those who are deemed at-risk but rarely to the general population of adults. When seeking out a physical examination, it is important to specifically ask that your healthcare professional assess your blood glucose levels, even if you are not at-risk for developing a diabetic condition.

Once screening is complete, unfortunately, research has also shown that for those adults who are deemed not at-risk, and an abnormal blood glucose finding is provided, many physicians fail to alert the patient of the finding and, further, do not re-evaluate the patient. Again, because some adults are at risk for developing diabetes, even when not obese or carrying other risk factors, it is important to follow up with your healthcare professional and obtain the results from your blood work. Never assume there is nothing wrong when you do not hear back from your healthcare provider.