CDC: 11 Million Americans Manage Undiagnosed Diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11 million Americans are living with diabetes without knowing it. The agency reports that roughly 40 million people nationwide have the condition. Diabetes ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and remains the primary cause of kidney disease.

Andrew Tucker was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 35, about 15 years ago. He weighed approximately 250 pounds at the time while balancing graduate school with long work hours. Tucker described his pre-diagnosis diet as heavy in junk food. Following medical advice, he altered his eating habits and began exercising, which resulted in a loss of more than 30 pounds. Despite the weight loss, the disease persisted, leading Tucker to identify a hereditary link. His father and grandfather also had diabetes.

Tucker manages the condition through a continuous glucose monitor that displays his blood sugar levels in real time. He also maintains an active lifestyle, which includes biking. In a recent video of a medical appointment, a doctor noted that Tucker's average sugar level had improved to 129. Tucker stated that the daily management of the disease involves constant attention to his actions and habits.

North Carolina is part of a region often referred to as the diabetes belt, where incidence rates are higher than the national average. Dr. Adam Spitz, an endocrinologist at Novant Health, stated that approximately one million people in the state have a confirmed diagnosis. He estimated that an additional 250,000 residents have undiagnosed diabetes. Spitz noted that these individuals are at risk of developing complications such as heart disease, advanced kidney disease, and eye disease without being aware of their condition.

Spitz pointed to the American Diabetes Association, which identifies Type 2 diabetes as the leading cause of amputation in the country. He explained that while newer treatments, including GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, have helped many patients, access barriers remain. Spitz said that people in rural and underserved communities often lack consistent access to healthcare and education on healthy lifestyle choices.

The potential future burden of the disease is significant, according to Spitz. He cited an estimate that three million people in North Carolina have prediabetes. These individuals are at a decision point where they can either develop full-blown diabetes or prevent it through intervention. Doctors emphasize that prevention typically requires sustained changes to diet and the addition of regular exercise. Spitz noted that many patients struggle to maintain these habits over the long term.

Medical professionals identify excessive thirst, extreme fatigue, and frequent urination as the most common signs of undiagnosed diabetes. Patients exhibiting these symptoms are advised to consult a doctor for further testing. The combination of rising prediabetes rates and the high number of undiagnosed cases in the South presents a continuing challenge for public health efforts.