It’s one of the most overlooked health risks today: nearly 1 in 4 adults with diabetes don’t know they have it. Could you be one of them?

Unlike a broken bone or a high fever, diabetes often develops silently. The early signs can be easy to miss, vague, or mistaken for stress or aging. But while it hides, it can do real damage. It can increase your risk for complications like heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss.

The earlier it's detected, the more effectively it can be managed. Here's how to know if you're at risk and what to do next.

🕵️ Why Diabetes Often Goes Undiagnosed

• Symptoms are vague or easy to overlook
  Fatigue, blurry vision, or increased thirst may seem harmless at first.

• Type 2 develops gradually
  Blood sugar can rise for years before it crosses the diabetes threshold.

• You don’t have to be overweight
  Even people with a normal BMI can develop insulin resistance.

• Screenings aren't always routine
  Without regular testing, elevated glucose and A1c can fly under the radar.

🩺 Symptoms You Might Be Ignoring

Watch for these common early signs:

• Excessive thirst or frequent urination

• Fatigue or daytime drowsiness

• Blurry vision

• Slow-healing wounds or frequent infections

• Tingling in the hands or feet

• Unexplained weight changes

• Sugar cravings or frequent hunger

Even one or two of these symptoms could mean your blood sugar is outside a healthy range.

🔬 What Testing Can Reveal

Fortunately, the tests are simple and fast:

• A1c
  Reflects average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.

• Fasting glucose
  Measures your blood sugar first thing in the morning.

• Glucose tolerance test
  Looks at how your body processes sugar over time.

• Random glucose test
  Gives a snapshot of current blood sugar levels.

At Reach7, many of these labs can be done on-site with results in minutes.

📊 Who Should Get Checked

You're at higher risk if you:

• Are 35 or older

• Have a family history of diabetes

• Are overweight or carry weight in your midsection

• Had gestational diabetes or PCOS

• Have high blood pressure or cholesterol

• Are physically inactive

• Belong to a high-risk ethnic group

You don't need to have every risk factor to benefit from testing.

✅ What to Do If You're Unsure

• Ask for screening
  Especially if you haven't had labs in the past year.

• Start tracking your habits
  Diet, activity, sleep, and stress all play a role.

• Look for patterns
  Are you more tired after meals? Do you crash mid-afternoon?

• Get guidance
  You don't have to navigate prevention or diagnosis alone.

📅 Get Peace of Mind With a Quick Test

If you suspect something is off, or if you're simply not sure when you last had your blood sugar checked, now is the time.

Reach7 offers on-site A1c and glucose testing with results available in minutes. You'll also receive a personalized explanation of your numbers and clear next steps.

Book your visit today and find out where you stand.