If you have been told you have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or a higher risk of diabetes, you may have heard terms like A1C, insulin resistance, or triglycerides.
These words can be confusing. But understanding them can help you ask questions at your appointments and make informed decisions about your health.
This guide explains common type 2 diabetes terms in simple language.
- Type 2 Diabetes: How Does It Work?
Type 2 diabetes happens when your body does not use insulin well or does not make enough insulin. As a result, too much sugar builds up in your blood.
Most of the sugar in your blood comes from the food you eat. Your body uses this sugar, also called glucose, for energy.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from your blood into your cells. Your pancreas is the organ that makes insulin.
When your body cannot use insulin well, glucose builds up in your blood. Over time, high blood sugar can harm your health.
Here are four important terms to know:
- Blood sugar (glucose): The sugar in your blood that your body uses for energy.
- Insulin: A hormone that helps your body use glucose for energy.
- Pancreas: The organ that makes insulin.
- Insulin resistance: When your body’s cells do not respond to insulin as well as they should.
What Is an A1C Test?
An A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. It is a blood test that helps doctors check for prediabetes and diabetes and monitor your blood sugar over time.
- Understanding Your Risk: Key Terms
Some factors can increase your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely develop diabetes.
Common risk factors include:
- Family history: Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
- Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases as you get older. Screening is recommended for many adults starting at age 35.
- Race and ethnicity: In the United States, type 2 diabetes is more common among some racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American people. Differences in access to health care, food, safe places to exercise, and other social factors can affect this risk.
- Weight: Having excess body fat can increase insulin resistance in some people.
- Diet and physical activity: Eating habits and how active you are can affect your risk. However, diabetes is not simply caused by eating sugar or being inactive.
What Is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome means having at least three health conditions that increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
These conditions include:
- Abdominal obesity: Having extra fat around your waist.
- High triglycerides: Having too much of a type of fat in your blood. Your body uses triglycerides for energy and stores extra calories as fat.
- Low HDL cholesterol: HDL is often called “good” cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from your blood.
- Elevated fasting blood sugar: Having higher-than-normal blood sugar after not eating for at least eight hours.
- High blood pressure: When blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels with too much force.
Having metabolic syndrome does not mean you will definitely develop diabetes. However, it is a reason to talk with your doctor about your health and ways to lower your risk.
- Diabetes Complications: Key Conditions
Over time, high blood sugar can damage different parts of your body. Diabetes can affect your eyes, nerves, kidneys, liver, and heart.
Here are some conditions to know about:
- Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the part of your eye that helps you see. It can cause vision problems.
- Diabetic macular edema: Swelling in the center of the retina. It can make it harder to see details, read, or recognize faces.
- Cataracts: Clouding of the lens in your eye that can make your vision blurry. People with diabetes may develop cataracts earlier.
- Diabetic neuropathy: Nerve damage caused by diabetes. It can cause pain, tingling, or numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
- Kidney disease: Damage to the kidneys that makes it harder for them to filter waste from your blood.
- Fatty liver disease: A condition in which too much fat builds up in the liver. It can sometimes lead to liver damage.
- Heart disease: Problems that affect your heart and blood vessels. Diabetes can increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems.
Regular checkups and managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help lower your risk of these complications.
- Know Your Numbers
Blood tests can help you and your doctor understand your risk of diabetes and monitor your health.
Here are some important numbers to know.
Triglycerides
- Healthy: Below 150 mg/dL
- Borderline high: 150–199 mg/dL
- High: 200–499 mg/dL
- Very high: 500 mg/dL or higher
HDL Cholesterol
HDL is often called “good” cholesterol.
- For men: Below 40 mg/dL is considered low.
- For women: Below 50 mg/dL is considered low.
Fasting Blood Sugar
This test measures your blood sugar after you have not eaten for at least eight hours.
- Normal: Below 100 mg/dL
- Prediabetes range: 100–125 mg/dL
- Diabetes range: 126 mg/dL or higher
A1C
A1C measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months.
- Normal: Below 5.7%
- Prediabetes range: 5.7–6.4%
- Diabetes range: 6.5% or higher
These numbers are general guidelines. Your doctor may consider other health factors when interpreting your results. A result in the diabetes range usually needs confirmation with another test unless there are clear signs of diabetes.
Conclusion: Take the Next Step in Your Health
Understanding type 2 diabetes starts with understanding your body and your health. Knowing what terms like A1C, insulin resistance, and cholesterol mean can help you feel more prepared for your next doctor’s appointment.
You do not have to manage your health alone. Regular checkups, blood tests, and support from your health care team can help you manage diabetes or lower your risk of developing it.
Have questions about diabetes or need help accessing care? CommunityHealth provides free health care to eligible uninsured adults in the Chicago area. Our services include primary care, diabetes screenings and management, health education, and help navigating health care resources.
Learn more about CommunityHealth’s services and take the next step toward better health.