WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?  Diabetes 2 is when the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates for energy is not working efficiently, leading to high levels of blood sugar. HOW DOES INSULIN WORK? Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to efficiently use glucose as fuel.  After carbohydrates are broken down into sugars in the stomach, glucose enters the circulation and stimulates the pancreas to release insulin in the proper amount.  Insulin allows the uptake of glucose by body cells for use as energy. WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES INSULIN RESISTANCE? In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells cannot take up glucose properly, leading to high levels of glucose in the blood.  Insulin resistance means that although the body can produce insulin, the body’s cells do not respond properly to the insulin that is made. Over time, the pancreas reduces the amount of insulin that it produces. HOW DOES TYPE 2 DIABETES IS DIAGNOSED? The hemoglobin A1c test measures the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin(hemoglobin bound to glucose) in your blood and provides information about your average blood glucose levels over the previous 2 to 3 months. Hemoglobin A1c levels over 6.5% are suggestive of diabetes. Another diagnostic test is the fasting blood glucose test. If your fasting blood glucose level is over 126, this establishes that diabetes is present. Random blood glucose levels over 200 are also consistent with diabetes. WHAT IS THE WARNING SIGNS OF DIABETES? Thirst, frequent urination, unusual hunger, dry mouth, weight gain or loss, itchy skin, impotence in men, vaginal dryness, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, and long healing process (infections & sores). WHAT ARE THE RISKS YOU CAN PREVENT? smoking, over weight, lack of exercise, consuming a lot of processed meat, fat, sweets, and red meat. WHY SHOULD I CHECK MY BLOOD SUGAR? Monitoring your own blood sugar levels with a meter is a good thing to do. It helps you see how food, physical activity, and medicine affect your blood sugarlevels. The readings can help you manage your type 2 diabetes day by day or even hour by hour. Keep a record of your test results and review them with your doctor at every visit. HOW DO I TEST MY OWN BLOOD SUGAR? You use a blood glucose meter. Be sure you know how to test your blood sugar levels the right way. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHECK MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS? Ask your doctor when and how often you need to check your blood sugar. IF I TEST MY OWN BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS, DO I STILL NEED THE A1C TEST? Yes. The results of both the blood sugar tests that you do yourself and A1C tests help you and your health care team get a complete picture of your control of type 2 diabetes. Learn more about the A1C test.