Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body uses glucose (sugar). Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose move from the bloodstream into cells for energy.

When the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively, glucose can build up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, kidney damage, and other health complications.

There are different types of diabetes, and each has different causes and risk factors. Prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not yet in the diabetes range. Understanding diabetes, recognizing possible symptoms, and learning about blood sugar testing can help you to make more informed decisions.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not use insulin effectively and, over time, may not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

• Cause: A combination of insulin resistance, changes in insulin production, and other contributing factors
• Who can develop it: People of any age, although it is more common in adults
• Symptoms: May develop gradually, and some people have no noticeable symptoms
• Related tests: Hemoglobin A1c, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, cholesterol (lipid) panel
• Management: You can help manage the condition with lifestyle changes, medication and, for some people, insulin therapy

Risk factors can include family history, physical inactivity, obesity, prediabetes, and certain health conditions. Having risk factors does not mean a person will develop type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Because the condition often has no clear symptoms, many people have it without realizing it. However, progression is not inevitable; lab tests can help you establish a baseline, monitor trends over time, and take proactive steps to protect your health.

Who may have an increased risk?

• Having a parent, sibling, or other close family member with type 2 diabetes
• Being physically inactive or overweight
• Having a history of gestational diabetes
• Having certain health conditions associated with insulin resistance

Prediabetes can be an opportunity to discuss preventive steps with a healthcare provider. Depending on individual circumstances, changes in physical activity, eating habits, and other lifestyle factors may help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Blood sugar is one piece of the metabolic health puzzle. Insulin helps your body regulate blood sugar, and understanding factors related to insulin production, kidney function, and overall metabolic health can help provide a broader picture of your wellness. These factors are interconnected. For example, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome involves overlapping risk factors and conditions, including excess body weight, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD).² Lab testing can help assess certain aspects of metabolic health and identify potential risk factors, giving you and your healthcare provider more information to guide next steps.