New Risk Test Accurately Predicts Who May Get Diabetes

Knowing your risk can lead to prevention of disease

Imagine knowing your future risk of developing a serious disease on a scale of 1 to 10; and then using that knowledge to delay or even prevent the disease.

When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, that technology is now available and it’s now being offered at Draelos Metabolic Center.  In recognition of Diabetes Awareness month in November we will be offering the test to the public.

“Diabetes is a terrible problem in Oklahoma, with more than 300,000 people diagnosed with the disease,” said Matthew T. Draelos, M.D., FA.C.E. “But even more alarming is the fact that many people have the disease and don’t know it.  In addition, many do not even know that they are at risk for developing diabetes. Now, we have a way to help identify those individuals early, before they develop diabetes.”

The new screening expands our cadre of diabetes diagnosis and management tools. It’s called PreDX  and combines seven laboratory tests into one.

“PreDX uses a simple blood test to measure a range of different biomarkers in your body that are linked to the development of  Type 2 diabetes,” Draelos said.  “Combined, these measurements provide you a personalized score of 1 to 10 that reflects your risk of developing diabetes in the next five years.”

Draelos Metabolic Center will offer the PreDX screening tests to the public on three Fridays in November.   

Event details:

• Dates: Nov. 2, 9 and 16

• Times: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• No appointment necessary during event times

• Must be fasting (no food or drinks, except water) for 10 hours prior to screening

• Insurance will be billed. Medicare and most private insurance members can expect no out-of-pocket costs (Please note: Medicaid and HMO plans do not cover the cost of this test.)

About three weeks from the date of the test, you  will receive an easy-to-understand report from Draelos Metabolic Center, providing the result of each lab test and explaining your diabetes risk score, which tells you if you are at high, moderate or low risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Please note: the PreDX

Diabetes Risk Score is completed and billed by Tethys, Inc.  Tethys provides the results of your PreDX screening and Diabetes Risk Score to Draelos Metabolic Center.  

“Having a high score does not mean someone will get diabetes,” Draelos said. “But it can be an important warning sign.  Prevention is key and certainly preferable to treatment of diabetes. In many cases, diabetes can be prevented by making lifestyle changes like losing weight, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising.”

For additional information on the PreDX screening, contact Draelos Metabolic Center at (405) 330-2362 .

DIABETES FACTS

• About 300,000 Oklahomans are diagnosed with diabetes but another 125,000 are estimated to have the disease but remain undiagnosed.
• That means about 15 percent of all Oklahomans have diabetes, including about one in five Oklahomans age 65 and older.
• Oklahoma ranks in the top states for diabetes mortality.
• Factors that increase your risk of developing diabetes are obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, history of heart disease or having a close relative with the disease.
• 79 million Americans are at risk for developing diabetes.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.