Half of The People With Type 2 Diabetes Don’t Know They Have It — Here’s Why You Should Get Checked

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than one in three adults has prediabetes, and nearly half of the people with type 2 diabetes don’t know they’re living with it.

Why does this happen? The disease often develops slowly, and symptoms can be easy to miss. “Many patients tell me they felt fine until routine bloodwork showed abnormal sugar levels,” said Oberto Torres Rafael, MD, an endocrinologist at Jackson Medical Group. “That’s why early screening is so important.”

Signs You May Have Type 2 Diabetes

Some symptoms include:

• Increased thirst or hunger
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Unexplained weight changes
• Slow-healing wounds

Not everyone experiences noticeable symptoms. Some people live with high blood sugar for years without realizing it. Over time, this can damage blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes, and the heart.

Who Should Get Tested?

Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but certain factors raise the risk:

• Family history of diabetes
• Being overweight
• Age 45 or older
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• History of gestational diabetes

“If you have risk factors, ask your doctor for a simple blood test,” Dr. Torres Rafael said. “The earlier we diagnose diabetes or prediabetes, the better we can prevent serious complications.”

Take Action Today

The good news is that diabetes can be managed, and even prevented, with healthy lifestyle changes and medical care. Regular check-ups, balanced eating, physical activity, and weight management all play a role.

Since type 2 diabetes can develop silently, annual physicals and routine bloodwork are key to catching it early. Even without symptoms, these tests can reveal changes in blood sugar before complications begin.

Dr. Oberto Torres Rafael is an endocrinologist for Jackson Medical Group. To schedule an appointment with him, call 305-585-4564 or visit jacksonmedicalgroup.org.