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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsDiabetes

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that happens when your body cannot use insulin the right way. Insulin helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. If your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it well, too much sugar stays in your blood. This can cause health problems over time. People with diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease (CKD), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and foot problems. People with diabetes can take steps to stay healthy and lower the chance of serious problems. If you or someone in your family has diabetes or was just diagnosed, Fidelis Care can help.



Identifying the Types of Diabetes

There are different types of diabetes, each with different causes, but they all share the common problem of having too much sugar (glucose) in your bloodstream. Select a class in the dropdown to learn more.

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Type 1 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.

Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas makes some insulin, but it’s not enough to meet the body’s needs. People with Type 2 diabetes are usually diagnosed as adults and are not dependent on insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes can occur in pregnant women. While it doesn’t mean a woman had diabetes before pregnancy or will have diabetes after birth, her doctor’s advice should be followed to remain healthy.
Prediabetes

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.

Other Types of 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.



Managing Diabetes

Controlling your diabetes starts with understanding your body. Regular doctor visits and testing are important ways to stay healthy, make informed decisions, and prevent serious complications.

Recommended tests for diabetes management include:

A1C Blood Sugar - At least twice per year

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. 

LDL Cholesterol - At least once per year

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.  

Kidney Damage - At least once per year

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. 

Eye Exam - At least once per year

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.  

Care Management

Fidelis Care offers Care Management services to support members who need extra help with their health. These services help members manage their care, understand their health conditions, and connect with local resources

Learn More


Living with Diabetes

Taking care of your diabetes helps you live a healthy and active life. When you learn how to check and control your blood sugar, make smart choices about food and exercise, and follow your doctor’s advice, you can prevent problems and improve your overall health.

Healthy Eating
A balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber supports stable blood sugar and overall health.
Physical Activity
Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity and helps manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Medication Adherence
Taking insulin or oral medications as prescribed is vital to maintaining blood glucose within your target range.
Regular Checkups
Routine visits with your healthcare provider help catch potential issues early and ensure your treatment plan stays on track.  To search for a medical professional, service, or facility in the Fidelis Care Network, use our Find a Doctor tool.
Monitoring Blood Glucose

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.

Recommended Blood Sugar Targets

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

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Obesity and Diabetes

Being overweight or having obesity can make it more difficult to manage your diabetes and may compound into additional health problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure. If you are overweight and have diabetes, adopting a healthy eating plan with fewer calories and more physical activity often will lower your blood glucose levels and reduce your need for medicines.

 

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How Obesity Affects Diabetes

Obesity-and-Diabetes

Diabetes & Heart Disease

According to the National Institute of and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease. People with diabetes are also more likely to have certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, that increase their chances of having a heart attack or a stroke.  Learn more below:

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What is the connection between diabetes and heart disease?
  • High blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this damage can potentially lead to heart disease.

  • People with diabetes also tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than people without diabetes. In fact, adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke as adults without diabetes.

  • The good news is that the steps you take to control your diabetes also help lower your chances of developing heart disease.
What other factors increase my chances of heart disease if I have diabetes?
  • Smoking ➤ Smoking raises your risk of developing heart disease.  If you have diabetes, it is important to stop smoking, because both smoking and diabetes narrow blood vessels.  

  • High blood pressure ➤ If you have high blood pressure, your heart has to pump harder to circulate blood. High blood pressure can strain your heart, damage blood vessels, and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Consider having your blood pressure checked regularly, and work with your doctor to regulate or lower high blood pressure.

  • Harmful cholesterol levels ➤ Cholesterol is a type of fat produced by your liver. You have two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, can build up and clog your blood vessels. HDL, sometimes referred to as the “good cholesterol.” Higher levels of HDL is linked to lower risk for heart disease and stroke. To improve LDL and HDL balance, try to limit the amount of fat in your eating plan, consume more plant-based foods, and get regular physical activity.

  • Family history of heart disease ➤ Unfortunately, a family history of heart disease may add to your chances of developing the condition. If one or more of your family members had a heart attack before the age of 50, you have double the chance of developing heart disease, compared with diabetics who have no family history of the disease.  


Testing for Diabetes

Common Tests to Determine and Monitor Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Prediabetes

If diagnosed, your doctor will have you take one or more of the following blood tests:

A1C Test

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.

Glucose Tolerance Test

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.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test

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.

Random Blood Sugar Test

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.

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What Does Insulin Do?

Insulin allows the cells in the muscles, fat and liver to absorb glucose that is in the blood. The glucose serves as energy to these cells, or it can be converted into fat when needed. Insulin also affects other metabolic processes, such as the breakdown of fat or protein.  Learn more below:

How is insulin created?

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.

What happens with insulin when you eat?

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.

What happens when insulin no longer works?

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.

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More on Diabetes

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Ketoacidosis

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem that can occur with diabetes.

Read This Article


Celebrating Black History Month: A Health Equity Journey
2/1/2024 • Posted by Jermel J. Hawkins, Jr., MD, MPH, Fidelis Care Sr. Medical Director in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, In The Community

Black History Month 2024

As a Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director, I take immense pride in acknowledging and celebrating Black History Month. This annual observance holds special significance for me, not only as a healthcare professional, but also as a member of the Black community. It provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary contributions of the Black community, the challenges it has overcome, and those it still faces. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength that has characterized the Black experience, even in the face of systemic challenges.

Throughout my journey in healthcare, the road to becoming a Black physician was not always an easy one. However, with the love and support of my parents, Dianne and Jermel Hawkins, Sr., I was able to become the person and healthcare leader that I am today.

It is important to note a key disparity in the provision of our healthcare. Only 5.7% of physicians in the United States currently are Black, despite Black people making up 12% of the United States population. Black male physicians make up only 2.6% of all physicians in the United States currently. This is important because studies have shown that having a shortage of Black physicians contributes to disproportionate effects experienced in chronic and infectious diseases, which demonstrates poorer clinical outcomes in this demographic. [1]

Since I first came to Fidelis Care nine years ago, I have drawn inspiration from the thoughtful mentorship of senior medical professional leaders in the organization. Their guidance has served me immensely in developing my skillset as a medical director and helped shape my own personal brand as a people leader.

Black History Month is also a time to recognize the persistent healthcare challenges faced by our community. It compels us to confront the stark reality of health disparities that disproportionately affect Black individuals. In our pursuit of health equity, it is crucial to acknowledge and address key health disparities faced by the Black community:

  • Cardiovascular Disease: Black individuals are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and heart disease.
  • Pregnancy and Childbirth: The preterm birth rate of Black women in New York is 58% higher than the rate among all other women. Black expectant individuals also experience significantly higher rates of maternal mortality, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare related to childbirth.
  • Diabetes: There is a higher prevalence of diabetes in the Black community, emphasizing the importance of targeted prevention and management strategies.
  • Cancer Disparities: Black individuals often face disparities in cancer outcomes, with higher mortality rates in certain cancer types.
  • Mental Health: Stigma, access barriers, and cultural factors contribute to mental health disparities in the Black community, calling for a comprehensive and culturally competent approach.

These disparities are not isolated incidents but are deeply rooted in social determinants of health, including economic inequality, food insecurity, housing and transportation challenges, and limited access to education and healthcare resources. To address these challenges, it is imperative that we take concrete actions:

  • Promote Diversity in Healthcare: Increase representation of Black healthcare professionals to enhance cultural competence and trust. Fidelis Care consistently updates our provider network to reflect the diversity in New York State. We partner with providers that share a deep commitment to serving the Black community.
  • Healthcare Access: Advocate for improved access to quality and affordable healthcare services, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, receive timely and effective care. Because of our diverse workforce, Fidelis Care is well suited to help. Our workforce consists of 50% people of color, with 37.5% of our directors and above being people of color.
  • Community Outreach and Education: Develop targeted programs to raise awareness about preventive measures and the importance of early intervention. Fidelis Care Community Relations teams travel around the state to share critical information at events and provider facilities in neighborhoods of color.
  • Invest in Pregnancy Health Services: Allocate resources to improve healthcare related to pregnancy and birth, ensuring access to quality prenatal and postnatal care for Black expectant individuals. Fidelis Care recently announced an investment of more than $150,000 in grants for nine not-for-profit organizations that play a pivotal role in ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy babies, particularly in underserved communities.
  • Culturally Competent Mental Health Support: Develop and expand mental health services that are culturally competent and accessible to the Black community. The Fidelis Care Behavioral Health team provides culturally sensitive assistance to find service providers available to help you or a loved one. Fidelis Care works with our members to remove obstacles caused by mental illness and/or substance abuse.

As a currently practicing physician, I sometimes feel most appreciated on days when I am working in Black communities. My clinical practice involves working in an urgent care facility and I am often in the Harlem area of New York City. Many patients there have expressed to me that they value a provider who looks like them. Given these sentiments, I take it as a privilege and an honor to provide care and clinical guidance to the Black community.

As we recognize Black History Month, let us not only reflect on the achievements of the past but also commit to shaping a healthier future for the Black community. By addressing health disparities and fostering an environment of inclusivity and understanding, we can pave the way for more equitable outcomes. I urge everyone, regardless of background, to join hands in fostering awareness, understanding, and action to create a healthier future for our Black community.

Fidelis Care Sr. Medical Director Jermel J. Hawkins, Jr., MD, MPH leads a team of medical directors and physicians supporting the utilization management review to determine medical necessity for various medical services and hospital stays. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University in the City of New York, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.

[1]Howard, Jacqueline, “Only 5.7% of US doctors are Black, and experts warn the shortage harms public health.” CNN Health, (https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/02/21/health/black-doctors-shortage-us/index.html).