A recent Cleveland Clinic study looked at whether those who contract COVID-19 are at higher risker for developing Type 2 diabetes. And according to the findings, that does not appear to be the case. The lead authors of the study say previous reports claimed COVID-19 could potentially cause type 2 diabetes due to a sudden spike in blood sugar.
However, their research found a different explanation for why some with COVID were being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. They say what's likely happening is they already had the condition but just didn't know it until they sought out treatment for the virus. Data shows there are 37-million people in the United States with diabetes, largely type 2, and about 9 million are undiagnosed.
“So, it's very important for people to make sure they are following up with their healthcare providers for the routine screening tests that are recommended to pick up disease,” says Dr. Kevin Pantalone of the Cleveland Clinic.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes in adults between the ages of 35 and 70 who are overweight or have obesity.
