MORE than six million Americans are walking
around with no idea that they have an insidious disease with the
potential to wreak havoc throughout the body.

The simplest means for earlier detection is a blood sugar test,
measured after a person has fasted for at least eight hours. Readings
above 126 milligrams of glucose per tenth of a liter of blood indicate
diabetes; anything below 100 is considered normal. Intermediate levels
reflect impaired glucose metabolism or “pre-diabetes.” People in this
category need yearly testing, because up to 8 percent of them will
become diabetic each year. About 54 million Americans are pre-diabetic.

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