Another New Diabetes Predictor Test…
As the link above will show, there’s another new test people can spend $500 on to find out if they’re genetically predisposed to Type II Diabetes. It “helps explain” the genetic link that makes one more susceptible to the insulin resistance that causes Diabetes. So, two questions here. One, do you need it? And, two, is this “front page” news?
About the first question. You probably don’t need this test. (Always remember, of course, I’m not a doctor, so if your doctor tells you to get it, listen to them before me.) If you’re thinking about ordering it because you’re starting to pack on the pounds, spend that money first on a heart rate monitor and a gym membership instead. Then, get a fasting blood glucose test, which will almost always be covered by insurance or cost far less than this genetic test. If you’re starting to show a pre-diabetic or diabetic blood sugar level, then you’re likely insulin resistant. If your parents are in the same boat, there may be a genetic link. Use that information to give yourself additional motivation to lose the pounds and eat healthier.
If you’re thin and one of your parents has Diabetes, then get your blood sugar checked regularly. If it’s high, and you’re still thin and active, then you may have the faulty chromosome pair mentioned in the test. The only reason you would want to get the test in this case is if your doctor doesn’t believe your blood sugar should be controlled with a pharmaceutical or natural regimen. The reason to press in this case is that you absolutely need to make sure your blood sugar is controlled, and your doctor should be made aware that you intend to do so.
About the second question, is this “front page” news? I’m just sick about how news agencies (in this case Newsweek and MSNBC) roll out the latest techniques for spending/wasting even more money on healthcare items that don’t actually contribute to making us better. In almost every case of Type II Diabetes caused by insulin resistance, a person can control or prevent the onset of the disease with lifestyle choices.
In the cases that it can’t, a low-cost blood sugar test will do the trick. Now, if they find a test that tells an individual he/she will become diabetic no matter what they do, that’s front page news. This story is trivia, I believe.