The ADA has created criteria for screening for diabetes or prediabetes in asymptomatic adults. Testing should be done in all asymptomatic adults who are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 or ≥ 23 in Asian Americans) and who have one or more diabetes risk factors, including:
- Physical inactivity
- First-degree relative with diabetes
- High-risk race and ethnicity
- People who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM)
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level <35 mg/dL and/or triglyceride level >250 mg/dL
- Hypertension (≥ 130/80 mm Hg or on therapy)
- A1C ≥ 5.7%, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) on previous testing
- Conditions associated with insulin resistance (e.g., severe obesity, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) history
- People with HIV
Note: People who were diagnosed with GDM should have lifelong testing at least every 3 years. For all other patients, testing should begin at the age of 35 years. If results are normal, testing should be repeated at a minimum of 3-year intervals, with consideration of more frequent testing depending on initial results and risk status.
