Eight million Americans may be living with diabetes and not even know it. To help identify these people, the American Diabetes Association suggests that health-care professionals test all adults age 45 and older for diabetes every three years. A blood-sugar level on the fasting glucose test of 126 or greater on two separate occasions constitutes a diagnosis of diabetes.
"Blood-sugar levels of people who are considered glucose- intolerant (borderline) have an increased frequency of complications of diabetes and coronary artery disease," explained Murray B. Gordon, M.D., director, Division of Endocrinology at Allegheny General Hospital.
All patients previously considered glucose-intolerant should be retested, as should people at high risk for coronary artery disease. Blood sugar levels are an important part of diabetes testing.
Last Updated: September 24, 2009