4 November 2026 · 5 min read

Am I Diabetic?

Understand the Risk Factors, Warning Signs and Tests for Diabetes.

Dr. Suhail M. Marfani
Specialist Internal Medicine & Diabetes Expert
Prime Medical Center – Al Qasimia Branch, Sharjah, UAE

Why Is Blood Sugar Screening Important?

Type 2 Diabetes can develop gradually without obvious symptoms. Blood glucose screening helps identify diabetes and prediabetes early, allowing timely treatment and prevention of complications.

You should consider checking your blood sugar if you belong to any of the following groups.

1. Who Should Check Their Blood Sugar?

• Adults aged 35 years and above: Routine screening is recommended, even without symptoms.
• People who are overweight or obese: Particularly those with abdominal obesity or physical inactivity.
• People with a family history of diabetes: Especially if a parent or sibling has diabetes.
• People with high blood pressure: Hypertension is associated with increased diabetes risk.
• People with abnormal cholesterol: Particularly high triglycerides or low HDL cholesterol.
• Women with previous gestational diabetes: They have an increased future risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
• Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Particularly those with insulin resistance or excess weight.
• People with cardiovascular disease: Including coronary artery disease and previous stroke.
• People taking certain medications: Particularly prolonged corticosteroid treatment and other medicines that can raise blood glucose.
• Children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: Especially when additional risk factors are present.
• People with symptoms suggestive of diabetes: Regardless of age or body weight.

Read more: understanding pre-diabetes and high blood pressure.

2. Warning Signs That Require Blood Sugar Testing

Do not ignore these symptoms:

• Excessive thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Increased hunger.
• Persistent tiredness.
• Blurred vision.
• Recurrent skin or urinary infections.
• Slow wound healing.

See also: common signs of diabetes.

3. Which Blood Sugar Tests Are Recommended?

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

• Measures blood glucose after at least eight hours of fasting.

HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)

• Estimates average blood glucose over approximately 2–3 months.
• Does not generally require fasting.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

• Measures the body’s response to a glucose load.
• Particularly useful in selected patients and during pregnancy.

Related: does an abnormal HbA1c always mean diabetes?

4. How Often Should You Check Your Blood Sugar?

• Normal results: Generally repeat screening every three years, depending on individual risk.
• Prediabetes: At least once every year.
• Previous gestational diabetes: Lifelong screening, generally every 1–3 years.
• Established diabetes: Monitoring frequency should be individualised according to treatment, medication and glucose control.

5. Important Advice

Healthy eating helps: explore the Diabetes Food Guide.

Medical References

1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1).
2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(8):736–743. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.12531.
3. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. professional.diabetes.org/standards-of-care
4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Type 2 diabetes: prevention in people at high risk (PH38). nice.org.uk/guidance/ph38

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace individual medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.