Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune disease destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing little to no insulin production. People with type 1 diabetes need daily insulin. This type accounts for about 6% of all diabetes cases.

Type 2 Diabetes: The body doesn’t use insulin properly, either due to insufficient insulin production or the body’s inability to use it effectively, leading to high blood sugar. Risk factors include age, family history, being overweight, high blood pressure and low activity levels. This type accounts for about 91% of all diabetes cases.

Should I get screened?

Talk to your provider if you have any of these symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Increased hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Numb or tingling hands or feet

Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, being more active and quitting tobacco.

Should I get screened?

Talk to your provider about getting tested if you are between 35 to 70 years of age and have any of these risk factors:

• Overweight
• Low activity level
• History of smoking
• Family history of diabetes
• History of high blood pressure
• History of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy and often goes away after the baby is born. However, managing the disease during gestation is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Each year, 5% to 9% of all U.S. pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes happens when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin during pregnancy. Hormone changes and weight gain can lead to insulin resistance. There are often no symptoms, so testing is essential. If you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Should I get screened?

All women should be screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you have any of the following risk factors, your medical provider may recommend earlier testing:

• Diagnosed with gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
• Gave birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds
• Are overweight
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome
• Are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander