Diabetes*

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they pass through a transitional state called “pre-diabetes.” This happens as the body’s cells become more resistant to the action of insulin and they fail to handle glucose properly.

Individuals with insulin resistance (IR) may not show an increase in blood glucose levels for some time, making insulin resistance or pre-diabetes difficult to detect during a routine physical. In fact, people may have this condition for several years without having any symptoms.

People with pre-diabetes may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a few years, making early detection important.

In 2007, there were over 65 million people in the U.S. who had Insulin resistance or pre-diabetes. The DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) Study has shown that if recognized early, people with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by making a few important lifestyle changes.

Losing just 5 to 7% of total body weight prevents or delays type 2 diabetes by nearly 60%. That’s just 10 to 14 pounds for a 200 pound person. DPP showed even greater benefit in patients 60 years or older. Those who made lifestyle changes lowered their chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 70%.

With a simple blood test, LipoScience offers an insulin resistance score (LP-IR)* that may help assess risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease go hand-in-hand; our goal is to give you complete information for risk assessment and management of the cardiometabolic patient.

*The LP-IR score is performed in LipoScience's CLIA certified laboratory.