11 million Americans have diabetes but do not know it, CDC says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11 million Americans are living with undiagnosed diabetes. Those individuals are at risk for severe health complications without knowing they need treatment.

Diabetes ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and is the primary cause of kidney disease. Approximately 40 million people in the country manage the condition daily. The disease is most common in the Southern United States, a region often referred to as the diabetes belt.

Andrew Tucker was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 35, which was 15 years before this report. He weighed about 250 pounds at the time while attending graduate school. Tucker stated that he followed medical advice to change his diet and increase exercise. He lost more than 30 pounds, but the diagnosis remained.

"What I learned, it was also hereditary," Tucker said. "My father had it, grandfather had diabetes." He now manages the condition with a continuous glucose monitor and regular physical activity.

Novant Health endocrinologist Adam Spitz said North Carolina is part of the diabetes belt where rates are higher. He noted that about one million people in the state have a confirmed diagnosis. An additional 250,000 people have the disease but have not been diagnosed.

"That is very scary because they can start to develop all the complications without even knowing it," Spitz said. He cited heart disease, advanced kidney disease, and eye disease as potential outcomes. The American Diabetes Association identifies Type 2 diabetes as the leading cause of amputation in the United States.

Spitz said newer medications, including GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, have helped many patients. However, he pointed out that rural and underserved communities often lack access to healthcare and lifestyle education. He estimated that three million people in North Carolina have prediabetes, a condition where the body processes sugar less efficiently.

Tucker recorded a recent appointment where his doctor noted improvements in his blood sugar levels. The doctor stated that Tucker's average sugar was 129, a decrease from previous readings. Common signs of undiagnosed diabetes include excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and frequent urination.