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Chemcard™ Glucose Test and Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone which is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into the energy needed for daily life. Diabetes is one of the most common and costly health problems in the US, with approximately 6 percent of the US population having the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates there are more than 5.4 million people in the US alone who are not aware they have diabetes. Many of these people only become aware they have the disease when they develop life threatening complications, such as blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, nerve disease or amputation. As a result, the ADA, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases now recommend screening as a necessary first step in an effort to detect diabetes at an earlier stage, before the onset of serious complications.

The ADA recommends screening individuals having one or more of the following diabetes risk factors, every three years:

Family history of diabetes: Parents or siblings with diabetes.
Obesity: 20 percent or more overweight.
Race/ethnicity: African American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander.
Age: All individuals 45 years and older.
Individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure): 140/90 mmHg or higher.
Individuals identified with impaired fasting glucose level or impaired glucose tolerance.
Individuals with HDL (good) cholesterol level at or below 35 mg/dl (0.90 mmol/l).
Women with a history of diabetes during pregnancy.
Women who have delivered a baby weighing over 9 lbs. (4kg.).

Chemcard™ Glucose was specifically developed to implement the diabetes screening and decision level guidelines recommended by the ADA. Unlike other glucose test methods which are intended for use in monitoring of known diabetics, Chemcard™ Glucose is designed as a screening tool to help identify diabetics who are unaware they have the disease, before the onset of serious health complications. Studies indicate that early detection of diabetes allowing prompt, effective treatment often helps reduce the severity of, and even help prevent some complications associated with chronic diabetic hyperglycemia.