Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes are usually diagnosed as children or adolescents, and depend on insulin therapy and other treatments to make up for the lack of insulin.

Prediabetes means you have a higher than normal blood sugar level.  Unmanaged prediabetes can lead to Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes doesn’t always have symptoms, so it’s crucial to get blood sugar levels tested, especially if you’re at high risk. Losing weight, exercising regularly and healthy eating habits can reverse prediabetes and prevent Type 2 diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), about 2% of people have rarer types of diabetes. Including MODY, LADA, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and diabetes caused by rare syndromes.

• MODY ➤ MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young) is caused by a mutation in a single gene. If a parent has this gene mutation, any child they have, has a 50% chance of inheriting it from them. If a child does inherit the mutation, the symptoms of MODY are often established before the age of 25, regardless of their weight or lifestyle.  It’s estimated that 90% of those diagnosed with MODY are mistakenly diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes at first.

• LADA  ➤ LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) is a type of diabetes which straddles type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The symptoms reported of this variant correspond with each Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, which is why some people call it type 1.5 diabetes or type 1 ½ diabetes. Whereas being overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, people with LADA tend to have a healthy weight.

• CFRD ➤ CFRD (Cystic Fibrosis-related Diabetes) is a type of diabetes that is unique to children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). The accumulation of sticky mucus caused by CF can sometimes lead to inflammation and scarring of the pancreas. This can damage the cells that produce insulin, leading to high blood glucose (sugar) levels. When the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin, blood sugar levels may continue to rise and develop into CFRD.

This blood test measures the average amount of blood sugar in a 2-3-month period. A result below 7 percent helps lower your risk of eye, nerve, and kidney damage. 

This blood test measures “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels in the blood. A result below 100 mg/dL helps lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.  

This urine test measures how well kidneys work. The test works by measuring protein in urine, a sign of kidney damage, which can happen if diabetes is not managed. Kidney damage can result in kidney failure and the need for dialysis. 

A retinal or dilated eye exam by an eye care professional is recommended for people who have diabetes. The eye exam checks the nerves and small blood vessels of your eyes for damage caused by diabetes. This test should be done once a year even if your eyesight seems normal. If left undetected, this damage can lead to blindness.  

Regular testing helps track your blood sugar levels and identify patterns, making it easier to adjust meals, medication, and activity. For guidance on blood sugar targets for diabetes types and time of day, view our "Recommended Blood Sugar Targets," below. Talk to your provider and diabetes educator about the best goals for you.

For people with type 1 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends that blood sugar targets be based on a person's needs and goals, including whether they are pregnant. Talk to your provider and diabetes educator about the best goals for you. 

General guidelines are:

Before meals, your blood sugar should be:

• From 90 to 130 mg/dL (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/L) for adults
• From 90 to 130 mg/dL (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/L) for children, 13 to 19 years old
• From 90 to 180 mg/dL (5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L) for children, 6 to 12 years old
• From 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.5 to 10.0 mmol/L) for children under 6 years old

After meals (1 to 2 hours after eating), your blood sugar should be:

• Less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) for adults

At bedtime, your blood sugar should be:

• From 90 to 150 mg/dL (5.0 to 8.3 mmol/L) for adults
• From 90 to 150 mg/dL (5.0 to 8.3 mmol/L) for children, 13 to 19 years old
• From 100 to 180 mg/dL (5.5 to 10.0 mmol/L) for children, 6 to 12 years old
• From 110 to 200 mg/dL (6.1 to 11.1 mmol/L) for children under 6 years old

For people with type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association also recommends that blood sugar targets be individualized. Talk to your provider and diabetes educator about the best goals for you. 

General guidelines are:

Before meals, your blood sugar should be:

• From 80 to 130 mg/dL (4.4 to 7.2 mmol/L) for adults

After meals (1 to 2 hours after eating), your blood sugar should be:

• Less than 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) for adults

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 or 3 months.  

• An A1C below 5.7% is normal
• An A1C between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates you have prediabetes
• An A1C 6.5% or higher indicates you have diabetes

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes.

This test measures your blood sugar before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. You’ll be asked to fast overnight before the test and have your blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level. Then you’ll drink the liquid and have your blood sugar level checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours afterward. 

At 2 hours, a blood sugar level of.... 

• 140 mg/dL or lower is considered normal
• 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes
• 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes.

This test measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast. 

A fasting blood sugar level of...

• 99 mg/dL or lower is normal
• 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes
• 126 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes.

This measures your blood sugar at the time you’re tested. You can take this test at any time and don’t need to fast prior to your appointment. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.

*Results for gestational diabetes can differ. Ask your health care provider what your results mean if you’re being tested for gestational diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone created by your pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in your bloodstream at any given moment. It also helps store glucose in your liver, fat, and muscles. In addition, insulin balances your body’s metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

When you eat, your blood glucose levels elevate, and this leads a typical person’s pancreas to release insulin, so that the sugar can be stored as energy for later use. Without this pancreatic ability, as a person with either type 1 diabetes or advanced type 2 diabetes, one's blood sugar levels may rise dangerously high, or drop too low.

Without proper insulin function, your body can’t store glucose in your muscles or liver, but neither can it make any fat.  Instead, the fat breaks down and produces, among other things, keto acids.  If the acid levels grow too high, the imbalance can trigger diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition if not treated immediately.