Diabetes occurs when blood sugar, also called glucose, remains too high because your body either does not make enough insulin or does not use it effectively. Insulin helps glucose enter your cells for energy.

Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Early diagnosis and ongoing care can help reduce these risks.

What Are the Types of Diabetes?

• Type 1 diabetes: The immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It can develop at any age and requires insulin treatment.
• Type 2 diabetes: The body does not use insulin effectively or make enough to manage blood sugar. It is the most common type.
• Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery, but increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later.

Prediabetes means blood sugar is above normal but below the diabetes range. It increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Common Diabetes Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased hunger
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections

Type 1 symptoms often develop quickly. Type 2 symptoms may develop gradually—or go unnoticed—so screening is important even when you feel well.

How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Your provider may use an A1C test, a fasting blood glucose test, or an oral glucose tolerance test. A random blood glucose test may be used when symptoms are present.

What Do A1C Results Mean?

An A1C test reflects your average blood sugar over the past three months. You do not need to fast for this test.

• Below 5.7%: Normal range
• 5.7%–6.4%: Prediabetes range
• 6.5% or higher: Diabetes range

A diabetes-range result generally needs confirmation with another test when symptoms are absent.

A1C is not used to diagnose gestational diabetes. Certain conditions, such as anemia, recent blood loss or transfusion, and some hemoglobin variants, can affect its accuracy. Your provider will choose the appropriate test.

Who Should Discuss Diabetes Screening?

Ask your provider about screening if you have symptoms or risk factors such as:

• A parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
• Overweight or obesity
• Prediabetes
• A history of gestational diabetes
• Limited physical activity

Risk also increases with age. Your provider can recommend when to start testing and how often to repeat it.

Diabetes Treatment and Management

Treatment depends on the type of diabetes and your health needs. It may include the following:

• A personalized eating and activity plan
• Blood sugar monitoring
• Oral or injectable medications
• Insulin, which is essential for type 1 diabetes and sometimes needed for type 2

Healthy habits support treatment but do not replace prescribed medication.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?

Lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, particularly if you have prediabetes.

• Move regularly: Work toward at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, as appropriate for your health.
• Choose balanced meals: Focus on nutritious foods and manageable portions.
• Limit sugary drinks: Choose water or unsweetened beverages.
• Manage weight: If you are overweight, modest weight loss can lower your risk.

These steps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes; they do not prevent every form of diabetes.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Call 911 or go to the emergency department for fruity-smelling breath, trouble breathing, or vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down. These can signal diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication—even in someone not yet diagnosed with diabetes.

Take the Next Step for Your Health

Concerned about symptoms, blood sugar or diabetes risk? Schedule a visit with tru Primary & Urgent Care to discuss screening and a care plan that fits your needs.