Diabetes Screening And Prevention

Full diabetes screening, risk checks, and prevention plans to catch prediabetes early. Acting now helps you avoid lifelong problems. From our board-certified internists at Remix Medical in Houston, TX.

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Minimal editorial imagery representing diabetes screening and early prevention.

By Kaveh Samani, MD · Internal Medicine PhysicianReviewed Apr 7, 20241 min read

Key takeaways

Diabetes screening catches prediabetes and type 2 diabetes early — often before symptoms — which is the whole point, because many people with these conditions are unaware they have them.
Guidelines recommend testing all adults from age 35, and earlier for those with overweight or obesity plus a risk factor such as family history, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, or prior gestational diabetes.
Any of three blood tests is appropriate — A1C, fasting plasma glucose, or a 2-hour glucose tolerance test — with A1C convenient because it requires no fasting; abnormal results are confirmed on a repeat test.
Prediabetes (A1C 5.7–6.4%, impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance) is a warning sign and an opportunity, warranting annual testing and referral to a lifestyle-change program.
Prevention works: in people with prediabetes, modest weight loss and regular activity substantially reduce progression to diabetes, and normal results are rechecked at least every three years.

The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetes testing for people who:

Are 40 years of age and older
Are overweight
Have diabetes in their family
Are members of a high-risk ethnic group (Native American, Hispanic, African American, Asian)
Had gestational diabetes mellitus or a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth
Have high blood pressure
Have abnormal blood fat (cholesterol, triglycerides)
Have a history of abnormal glucose tests
Have impaired glucose tolerance or fasting glucose (previously called borderline diabetes)

For these at-risk individuals, early detection is key and with proper nutrition and exercise, prevention may even be achieved. Our staff are available to screen patients for diabetes and heart disease risk and to utilize the latest therapies for the prevention of these conditions.

Who should be screened	Why
Age 35 and older	Routine screening catches diabetes before symptoms
Overweight with a risk factor	Family history, high blood pressure, or inactivity raise the odds
History of gestational diabetes	A marker of higher lifelong risk

How it's performed

Screening uses one of three validated blood tests, any of which is appropriate: hemoglobin A1C, fasting plasma glucose, or a 2-hour plasma glucose during a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. When an OGTT is used, adequate carbohydrate intake (at least 150 g/day for three days) is ensured beforehand. Results are interpreted against standard thresholds, and abnormal values are confirmed on a repeat test before diagnosis. Risk is often first estimated with a validated risk calculator to guide who to test.

How to prepare

For a fasting plasma glucose or oral glucose tolerance test, fast for at least 8 hours beforehand; A1C requires no fasting. For an OGTT, eat an adequate carbohydrate diet (at least 150 g/day) for three days prior. Bring a current medication and supplement list and any family history of diabetes.

What to expect after

If results are normal, screening is repeated at a minimum of every three years, sooner with weight gain or new symptoms. Prediabetes (A1C 5.7–6.4%, impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance) warrants annual testing and referral to an intensive lifestyle-change program. A prior history of gestational diabetes warrants testing at least every one to three years.

Outcome

Early identification of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes — often before symptoms appear — enabling intervention when it is most effective. For people with prediabetes, structured lifestyle change and modest weight loss substantially reduce progression to diabetes, and treatable risk factors can be addressed before complications develop.

Frequently asked

Diabetes Screening And Prevention questions, answered

Who should be screened for diabetes?

Most adults from age 35, and earlier for those who are overweight with a risk factor like family history, high blood pressure, or inactivity. Screening catches it before symptoms.

What tests screen for diabetes?

A simple blood test, usually an A1c or a fasting glucose, is used. Your doctor picks the right one and interprets it with your risk in mind.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Often, yes. In people with prediabetes, modest weight loss and regular activity substantially cut the risk of developing diabetes. That's the whole point of early screening.

What is prediabetes?

It's a stage where blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetes. It's a warning sign and the ideal time to act, since it can often be reversed.

How can I lower my risk of diabetes?

Losing a modest amount of weight, staying active most days, eating well, and not smoking are the most effective steps. Regular checkups keep you on track.

Sources

References

American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care 2025;48(Suppl 1):S27–S49 — https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S27/157566/
US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Recommendation Statement. JAMA 2021;326(8):736–743 — https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/screening-for-prediabetes-and-type-2-diabetes
Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al. Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin (Diabetes Prevention Program). N Engl J Med 2002;346:393–403 — https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa012512
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Diabetes Prevention Program — https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention/index.html
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Prediabetes & Insulin Resistance — https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance

Your care team

Clinicians who treat this.

Every clinician at Remix Medical is board-certified and owns the practice — so the physician in your exam room is the one making decisions about your care.

Uday Khosla, MD
Nephrologist
4.9 · 277 Google reviews
Accepting New Patients
Everald Manning, MD
Primary Care Physician
4.6 · 177 Google reviews
Accepting New Patients
Kaveh Samani, MD
Internal Medicine Physician
4.8 · 246 Google reviews
Accepting New Patients

SpecialtyInternal MedicineTypeDiagnostic testCPT code83036 (HbA1c); 82950 (glucose, post-glucose dose); 82951 (glucose tolerance test, 3 specimens); G0108 (HCPCS: diabetes self-management training, individual); G0109 (group)

This page is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Whether a given procedure is appropriate depends on your individual evaluation. Contact a Remix Medical clinician to discuss your care.

Updated April 7, 2024. Medically reviewed by Kaveh Samani, MD.