11 million Americans live with undiagnosed diabetes, CDC estimates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11 million people in the United States currently live with diabetes without knowing it. Those individuals face a high risk of developing serious health problems before a diagnosis is made. Diabetes ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the country. It is also the primary cause of kidney disease nationwide.

Andrew Tucker was 35 years old when he received his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis about 15 years ago. He weighed approximately 250 pounds at the time, a weight he attributed to the demands of graduate school and a diet heavy in processed food. Tucker described his daily routine as a constant vigil. He stated that he watches his actions every day and almost every hour to manage the condition.

Tucker followed medical advice to alter his eating habits and begin regular exercise. He lost more than 30 pounds, yet the diabetes persisted. He later identified a hereditary component to his condition, noting that both his father and grandfather had the disease. Tucker now uses a continuous glucose monitor to track his blood sugar levels in real time. He recently recorded a physician visit where his doctor noted that his average sugar had improved to 129.

Dr. Adam Spitz, an endocrinologist at Novant Health, places North Carolina within a region often referred to as the diabetes belt. He reported that approximately one million people in the state have diabetes. Another quarter million residents have undiagnosed cases, a figure Spitz called very scary because patients can develop complications without awareness. He noted that diagnoses have continued to climb even as treatment options have improved.

Complications from unmanaged diabetes include coronary artery disease, heart attacks, nerve damage, and amputations. The American Diabetes Association identifies Type 2 diabetes as the leading cause of amputation in the United States. Spitz said that newer medications, including GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, have helped many patients. However, he pointed out that people in rural or underserved communities still face barriers to accessing care and education on healthy lifestyles.

The scope of the issue extends beyond those already diagnosed. Spitz estimated that three million people in North Carolina have prediabetes. He described these individuals as being at a fork in the road, where they can either progress to diabetes or prevent the disease. Doctors advise that prevention requires major and sustained changes to diet and exercise routines.

Symptoms associated with undiagnosed diabetes include excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and frequent urination. Medical professionals recommend that individuals experiencing these signs consult a doctor for further testing.