(BlackDoctor.org) – In the simplest terms, having diabetes means your blood
sugar (also called glucose) is too high. It’s a serious disease that can cause a
head-spinning assortment of associated illnesses, including heart attack or
stroke, blindness, kidney failure and loss of feet/legs. But how would you know?
Are you at risk? Do you already have the symptoms? Are you often thirsty,
hungry, or tired? Do you urinate often? Do you have sores that heal slowly,
tingling in your feet, or blurry eyesight? These are certainly some of the
potential signs of diabetes, but even without these symptoms, you could still
have diabetes.

But diabetes can be controlled. You can reduce or avoid these health
problems. One of the most important steps is the first step: finding out if you
are at high risk.

So, know your risk of having diabetes now by answering
these quick questions. For each YES answer, add the
number of points listed. All NO answers are 0 points.

Yes or No:

1. Are you a woman who has had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth?
If yes, add 1 point.
2. Do you have a sister or
brother with diabetes? If yes, add one point.
3. Do
you have a parent with diabetes? If yes, add one
point.
4. Find your height on the chart below. Do you weigh as
much as or more than the weight listed for your height? If yes, add
five points.
5. Are you under 65 years old and get little or no
exercise in a typical day? If yes, add five
points.
6. Are you between 45 and 64 years old? If
yes, add five points.
7. Are you 65 years old or older?
If yes, add nine points.

At Risk Weight Chart

4’10 …………………………………..129
4’11
…………………………………..133
5’0
…………………………………….138
5’1
…………………………………….143
5’2
…………………………………….147
5’3
…………………………………….152
5’4
…………………………………….157
5’5
…………………………………….162
5’6
…………………………………….167
5’7
…………………………………….172
5’8
…………………………………….177
5’9
…………………………………….182
5’10
…………………………………..188
5’11
…………………………………..193
6’0
…………………………………….199
6’1
…………………………………….204
6’2
…………………………………….210
6’3
…………………………………….216
6’4
…………………………………….221

Add Your Score

If you scored . . . then your risk is . . ..

10 or more points – Your Risk is High!
Please talk to
your health care provider soon about the results of this test. If you don’t have
insurance and can’t afford a visit to your provider, contact your local health
department.

3 to 9 points – Probably Low For Having Diabetes…For
Now

Keep your risk low. If you’re overweight, lose weight. Be active most days,
and don’t use tobacco. Eat low-fat meals with fruits, vegetables, and
whole-grain foods. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, talk to
your health care provider about your risk for diabetes.

How Can I Get Tested For Diabetes
If…?

I Have Individual/Group Health
Insurance: See your health care provider. If you don’t have a provider,
ask group private your insurance company about providers who take your
insurance. health insurance Deductibles and co-pays will apply.

I Have Medicaid: See your health care provider. If you don’t
have a provider, contact a state Medicaid office or contact your local health
department.

I Have Medicare: See your health care provider. Pay the cost
if the provider has a reason for testing. If you don’t have a provider, contact
your local health department.

I Have No insurance: Contact your local health department
for more information about where you could be tested or call your local health
clinic.

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