Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body metabolizes glucose. Your body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn't produce enough to maintain normal glucose levels.
Key Insight
Your A1c tells only part of the story. A complete picture includes kidney function, cholesterol, and inflammation markers - all of which predict long-term outcomes.
Core diagnostic markers for type 2 diabetes. These are used to diagnose and monitor your condition.
Measures average blood sugar over 2-3 months. The gold standard for diabetes diagnosis and monitoring.
Measures blood sugar after 8+ hours of fasting. Used for diagnosis and daily monitoring.
Type 2 Diabetes affects multiple body systems. Monitor these to catch complications early.
People with diabetes have ~2x higher risk of heart disease and stroke
Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis. LDL targets are stricter for diabetics.
Below 100 mg/dL, or below 70 if heart disease present
High triglycerides are common in poorly controlled diabetes and increase heart risk.
Below 150 mg/dL
Better predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL in diabetics.
Protective cholesterol often low in diabetics.
Above 40 (men), 50 (women) mg/dL
About 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
Estimates how well kidneys filter waste. Should be monitored annually.
Above 90 (normal), 60-89 (mild decrease), below 60 (kidney disease)
Detects early kidney damage before eGFR drops. First sign of diabetic nephropathy.
Below 30 mg/g (normal), 30-300 (moderate), above 300 (severe)
Waste product filtered by kidneys. Rises when kidney function declines.
Chronic inflammation is linked to insulin resistance and diabetic complications
High-sensitivity marker for inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Below 1 mg/L (low risk), 1-3 (moderate), above 3 (high risk)
Diabetes is not just about blood sugar. It's a metabolic condition that affects your entire body - heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves. Managing diabetes well means monitoring not just A1c, but also cardiovascular markers, kidney function, and inflammation. Early detection of complications through regular lab work can prevent serious outcomes.
Understanding how type 2 diabetes connects to other conditions helps you see the bigger picture.
When you select Type 2 Diabetes as your health focus, these categories are prioritized in your dashboard:
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