Test Predicts If You Will Get Diabetes

A doctor in the metro is offering a blood test, he says accurately predicts who may get Type 2 diabetes.

The PreDX Test, pronounced "predicts," is a simple blood test. Once collected, the sample is sent to a lab for testing.

"It checks seven different markers, values in the blood stream, that each of which can independently predict diabetes, but when put together are more sensitive and specific for the development of diabetes," Dr. Matthew Draelos said.

Results come back as a number on a scale from one to ten.  The higher the number, the more at risk you are of becoming diabetic in the next five years.

"The reason we want to identify, is because diabetes puts people at risk for early heart disease, early strokes, blindess and kidney failure," Draelos said.

If you are high risk, Draelos said you can work with your doctor to lower your risk and then come back in for another test to see if what you are doing is working for you.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oklahoma has the fourth highest diabetes rate in the country.  About 300,000 Oklahomans have diabetes and an estimates 125,000  likely have the disease, but have not been diagnosed, the CDC reported.

The next PreDX testing date at Draelos Metabolic Center is Friday. November 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  No appointment is necessary, but patients must come fasting.The center is located at 200 N. Bryant in Edmond.

Draelos said most insurances cover the test, at no patient cost for most patients. Test Predicts If You Will Get Diabetes

Posted: Saturday, November 10 2012, 09:49 PM CST