11 million Americans live with undiagnosed diabetes, CDC estimates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 11 million people in the United States have diabetes without knowing it. This figure represents a substantial portion of the 40 million Americans currently living with the condition, which ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the country and is the primary driver of kidney disease.

Andrew Tucker was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 35, about 15 years ago. He weighed approximately 250 pounds at the time, a weight he attributed to the demands of graduate school and long work hours. Tucker stated that he followed medical advice to change his diet and increase exercise, resulting in a weight loss of more than 30 pounds. Despite these changes, the condition persisted.

Tucker identified a genetic component to his disease, noting that both his father and his grandfather had diabetes. He described managing the condition as a constant effort, saying, "Yes, for me, it is truly an everyday, almost every hour watching what I do." He currently uses a continuous glucose monitor to track his blood sugar in real time.

Novant Health endocrinologist Dr. Adam Spitz noted that North Carolina is part of a region frequently referred to as the diabetes belt, where rates are higher than the national average. Spitz said the state has about one million people with diabetes, along with an additional 250,000 who have the condition but have not been diagnosed. He warned that undiagnosed patients can develop serious complications without realizing it.

Those complications include heart disease, advanced kidney disease, and eye problems. The American Diabetes Association reports that Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of amputation in the United States. Spitz said that while newer medications, such as GLP-1 drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy, have helped many patients, access remains a barrier for others.

Spitz pointed out that people in rural and under-served communities often lack access to healthcare and education on healthy lifestyles. He also emphasized that an estimated 3 million people in North Carolina have prediabetes. He described these individuals as being at a critical decision point where they can either progress to diabetes or prevent it through sustained lifestyle changes.

Tucker said his motivation to stay active and monitor his health is to avoid the worst outcomes he has seen in others. He recently recorded a doctor’s visit in which his physician noted his improving numbers. The doctor told him, "Your average sugar is 129, which is also improved from our last time."