Why Diabetes Screening is Essential: What You Need to Know

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health conditions in the United States and around the world. More than 38 million Americans currently live with diabetes, and over 8 million of them don't even know they have it. Left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can silently damage nearly every major organ system—including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. That’s why early diabetes screening is critical to protect your long-term health. At eNational Testing, we believe that knowledge is power. Getting screened for diabetes gives you the clarity to take charge of your health and, when necessary, make lifestyle or treatment changes before serious complications arise. In this blog, we break down the importance of diabetes screening, who should get tested, how it works, and how eNational Testing makes the process simple, affordable, and confidential.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body uses blood sugar (glucose), your main source of energy. There are three main types:

• Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the pancreas stops producing insulin. Usually diagnosed in children or young adults.
• Type 2 Diabetes: The most common form, where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough.
• Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after delivery but increases future risk of Type 2 diabetes.

If not managed, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health issues over time, including:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Vision loss
• Nerve damage
• Severe infections Complications can lead to limb amputation. That’s why early detection and proper management are so essential.

Why Early Screening Matters

One of the most dangerous things about diabetes is that it often shows no symptoms in its early stages. Many people feel fine while their blood sugar silently climbs to dangerous levels. Screening helps uncover diabetes or prediabetes before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention. Benefits of early screening include:

• Preventing or delaying Type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes
• Reducing risk of serious complications
• Lowering long-term healthcare costs
• Improving quality of life

Research shows that lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and modest weight loss can dramatically reduce the risk of developing diabetes. But you can’t take action if you don’t know your risk—that’s where screening comes in.

Who Should Get Screened?

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should consider getting screened if you:

• Are age 35 or older
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are overweight or obese
• Have a sedentary/inactive lifestyle
• Have high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol
• Are a woman who had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby over 9 lbs
• Belong to certain ethnic groups (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander)

Even if you feel healthy, regular testing is a smart strategy for early detection—especially if you fall into any of these risk groups.

What Is Prediabetes?

Before people develop full-blown Type 2 diabetes, they often go through a stage called prediabetes. This means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The scary part? Prediabetes affects more than 96 million adults in the U.S., and most don’t even know they have it. The good news? Prediabetes is reversible with the right lifestyle changes. But again, you can’t fix what you don’t know. Early screening identifies prediabetes and gives you the opportunity to take control before things get worse.

How Diabetes Screening Works

At eNational Testing, we offer simple and accurate diabetes screening tests you can schedule at one of over 2,500 nationwide testing centers. Our most common diabetes tests include:

1. Fasting Blood Glucose Test

• Measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast
• Levels of 100-125 mg/dL indicate prediabetes- additional diagnostic testing is recommended
• 126 mg/dL or higher may indicate diabetes- additional diagnostic testing is recommended

2. Hemoglobin A1C Test

• Measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months
• Hemoglobin A1c of 5.7% to 6.4% = prediabetes range
• Hemoglobin A1c of 6.5% or higher = diabetes
• Convenient: No fasting required

3. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

• Measures how your body processes sugar over time
• Commonly used for diagnosing gestational diabetes

Each of these tests is performed with a simple blood draw, and results are typically available within 2-3 business days. All testing is confidential, and no insurance or doctor’s referral is required.

The eNational Testing Advantage

We know that navigating healthcare can be confusing and expensive. That’s why eNational Testing is committed to offering:

• Affordable pricing with no surprise fees
• No appointments necessary at most lab locations
• Quick, reliable results—usually within 48 to 72 hours
• Nationwide access with thousands of convenient testing centers
• Secure and confidential results, delivered online

You can order your diabetes screening test online in just minutes, walk in at your convenience, and take the first step toward better health without disrupting your schedule.

What Happens After the Test?

If your results are normal, that’s great news—but it doesn’t mean you can ignore your health. Healthy habits should continue to keep your risk low. If your results indicate prediabetes, this is your opportunity to act. Studies show that modest lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58% or more. These changes include:

• Losing just 5% to 7% of body weight
• Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week
• Eating a balanced, low-sugar, whole-foods diet

If your results show diabetes, you can take control by working with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan that may include medication, nutrition counseling, lifestyle modifications and a monitoring routine. In either case, eNational Testing encourages regular monitoring and follow-up screening as recommended by your provider or based on your risk factors.

Long-Term Benefits of Diabetes Screening

Getting screened isn’t just about avoiding disease—it’s about investing in your long-term health, well-being, and peace of mind. Early detection of diabetes or prediabetes can:

• Prevent serious complications like blindness, amputations, and kidney failure
• Reduce medical costs associated with chronic illness
• Improve lifespan and quality of life
• Empower you to take control before irreversible damage occurs

For employers, encouraging or offering diabetes screening as part of a wellness program can reduce absenteeism, improve productivity, and lower insurance costs.

Diabetes may be common, but that doesn’t make it any less serious. The good news is that it is highly manageable when caught early—and even preventable in many cases. That’s why regular diabetes screening is a smart, proactive step everyone should consider. At eNational Testing, we make it easy. No long waits, no hidden fees, and no stress. Just accurate, confidential, and affordable testing that puts you in control of your health. Ready to take the first step? Order your diabetes screening test today and get the answers you need to live healthier and longer.