Do you know where you stand?

You probably know a few of your numbers. Maybe your blood pressure from your last checkup, or your weight from this morning. But most people have no idea where they stand with blood sugar.

That gap matters. According to the CDC, more than 2 in 5 American adults have prediabetes, and 8 in 10 of them don't know it. More than 1 in 4 adults with diabetes don't know they have it either. Here in Shelby County, about 14 percent of adults already have diabetes.

Prediabetes rarely causes symptoms, so you can feel fine while your blood sugar slowly climbs. The only way to know is to look.

Start with the CDC's one-minute test

The simplest first step is free and takes about a minute. The CDC's Prediabetes Risk Test asks a few questions about your age, family history, blood pressure, activity, and weight, then gives you a score.

Take the CDC Prediabetes Risk Test

Think of it like the check engine light on your car. It doesn't tell you exactly what's wrong, but it tells you when it's time to look under the hood. A risk test doesn't diagnose prediabetes or diabetes. A high score means it's time for a conversation with your doctor and a simple blood test.

Common risk factors

According to the CDC, you're at higher risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

• Have overweight or obesity
• Are 45 or older
• Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
• Are physically active fewer than three times a week
• Have fatty liver disease
• Had diabetes during pregnancy, or gave birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
• Are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native. Some Pacific Islander and Asian American people also have higher risk.

High blood pressure, high blood fats (triglycerides), and extra weight around the waist are also common warning signs.

Risk is not the same as destiny

You can't change your age or your family history. But many risk factors are within your control, and small changes add up. In the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program study, people at high risk who made lasting lifestyle changes lowered their chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.

Knowing your risk isn't about worry. It's about giving yourself time to act.

Who should get tested?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes for adults ages 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity. The CDC encourages anyone with risk factors to ask their doctor about testing.

If your risk test score is high, or several of the risk factors above sound familiar, don't wait for symptoms. Many people feel completely normal until blood sugar is already in the diabetes range.

Beyond one number

A risk score is a starting point. At Health 360 Wellness, a Discovery Visit looks at the full picture: your blood sugar and lab work, how much of your body is fat versus muscle, the deep belly fat around your organs, and how many calories you burn at rest. That shows not just whether you're at risk, but what's driving it.

Take the first step

Take one minute today and check your risk. If your score is high, book a $99 Discovery Visit or call (901) 494-6066.

This article is for general health education and does not replace individualized medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.