Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes mainly from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Too much glucose then stays in your blood, and not enough reaches your cells.
Type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of factors: Being overweight or having obesity; not being physically active and genetics or family history.
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes tend to develop slowly over time. They can include: blurred vision, fatigue, feeling very hungry or thirsty, increased need to urinate (usually at night), slow healing of cuts or sores, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet and unexplained weight loss.
The following blood tests help your doctor diagnose diabetes:
| Type of test | Diabetes (mg/dL) | |
| Fasting plasma glucose test | This test checks your blood glucose level. It is best done in the morning after an eight hour fast (nothing to eat or drink except sips of water). | 126 or higher |
| Random plasma glucose test | This lab test can be done any time without the need to fast. | 200 or higher |
| Glycolated hemoglobin testing (A1c) | This test measures your average blood sugar levels over three months. | 6.5% or higher
|
| Oral glucose tolerance testing | This test checks your blood sugar levels before and after you drink a sugary beverage. It evaluates how your body handles glucose | 200 or higher |
Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease and stroke.
Lifestyle changes are the best way to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:
- reach and keep a health body weight
- stay physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day
- eat a healthy diet and avoid sugar and saturated fat
Regular check-ups and screenings with your doctor can also help you keep your blood sugar in check.
Dr. Divya Vaz