Millions in U.S. Miss Diabetes Diagnosis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11 million Americans are living with undiagnosed diabetes.

Diabetes ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and remains the primary cause of kidney disease. Nationwide, approximately 40 million people manage the condition. Medical professionals note that the southern United States, often referred to as the diabetes belt, experiences higher rates than other regions.

Andrew Tucker, who resides in North Carolina, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 35. He weighed 250 pounds at the time and was completing graduate school while working long hours. Tucker attributed his initial risk to a combination of poor diet and genetics, noting that both his father and grandfather had the disease. After losing more than 30 pounds through diet and exercise, he still requires daily management. “Yes, for me, it is truly an everyday, almost every hour watching what I do,” Tucker said.

Dr. Adam Spitz, an endocrinologist at Novant Health, stated that North Carolina is home to about one million people with diabetes. He said another 250,000 residents have the condition but have not yet received a diagnosis. “But we have another quarter million people who have undiagnosed diabetes. And that is very scary because they can start to develop all the complications without even knowing it,” Spitz said.

Spitz identified rural and underserved communities as having limited access to healthcare and education on healthy lifestyles. The American Diabetes Association reports that Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of amputation in the United States. Other complications include coronary artery disease, heart attacks, nerve damage, and eye disease.

The doctor noted that an estimated three million North Carolinians have prediabetes, a stage where they can either progress to diabetes or prevent it. He said newer medications, including GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, have assisted many patients. However, prevention often demands sustained changes in diet and exercise that are difficult to maintain long term.

Tucker uses a continuous glucose monitor to track his blood sugar in real time. A recent video of his doctor’s visit shows his physician stating, “Your average sugar is 129, which is also improved from our last time.” Common signs of undiagnosed diabetes include excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and frequent urination.