November is National Diabetes Month, and it’s a good time to ask two simple questions: do I know my blood sugar numbers, and do I understand the diabetes medicines I take? The CDC estimates that 40.1 million Americans have diabetes, that more than 1 in 4 adults with it haven’t been diagnosed, and that about 115 million U.S. adults have prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes often cause no symptoms early on, so a simple blood test, ordered by your doctor, is usually how people find out.

That’s the short version. As of October 2026, here’s the longer one for our neighbors in Statesboro, Brooklet, Lyons, Vidalia, and across Bulloch County, Toombs County, and Southeast Georgia: what prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are, who should get checked under current guidelines, what the lab numbers mean, a plain-English tour of the common medicines, and some practical tips for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season. This is general education, not a personal plan, so check anything specific with your pharmacist or physician.

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, in plain English

The Georgia Department of Public Health describes diabetes as a long-term condition that affects how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose out of the blood and into the body’s cells. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes too little insulin or the body doesn’t respond to it well, so glucose builds up in the blood over time.

Prediabetes sits in between. The CDC explains it as blood sugar that’s higher than normal but not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The CDC also notes there are usually no signs, which is why 8 in 10 people with prediabetes don’t know they have it.

The good news is that prediabetes isn’t a life sentence. According to the CDC, prediabetes can be reversed with lifestyle changes, and NIDDK notes that losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight may help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

The numbers, nationally and here in Georgia

The CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report (updated September 16, 2026) estimates:

• 40.1 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, diagnosed or undiagnosed. That’s about 12.0% of the population.
• 27.6% of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed, about 11.0 million people.
• 115.2 million U.S. adults have prediabetes.

Closer to home, the Georgia Department of Public Health, citing the American Diabetes Association, reports that about 1.1 million Georgia adults (11.4% of adults) are living with diagnosed diabetes. Whether you live in town in Statesboro or out in the county, odds are you know somebody managing it.

Symptoms to know (and why you can’t rely on them)

Georgia DPH lists common diabetes symptoms, including urinating more than usual, feeling very thirsty or very hungry, being extremely tired, blurred vision, losing weight without trying, and tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. DPH also points out that some people have mild symptoms or none at all. If you notice any of these, call your doctor. If you don’t, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear, which is why screening matters.

Who should get screened for diabetes?

Two major groups set screening guidance in the U.S., and they overlap more than they differ.

American Diabetes Association (Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026)

The ADA’s 2026 Standards of Care recommend assessing every adult’s risk, either through a review of risk factors or with a validated risk calculator. Testing for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes should be considered for:

• Adults of any age with overweight or obesity (BMI of 25 or higher, or 23 or higher for people of Asian ancestry) who have one or more risk factors. Those include a parent or sibling with diabetes; African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian American ancestry; a history of heart disease; high blood pressure (130/80 or higher, or being treated for it); low HDL or high triglycerides; polycystic ovary syndrome; and physical inactivity.
• Everyone else starting at age 35.
• People with prediabetes, who should be tested yearly.
• People who had gestational diabetes, who should be tested at least every 1 to 3 years.

If results are normal, the ADA says testing should be repeated at least every 3 years, and sooner depending on your results and risk.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021 recommendation)

The USPSTF recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults ages 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity and no symptoms (a “B” grade). It says clinicians should consider screening earlier for people from groups with higher rates of diabetes or with a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome. For people with normal results, it notes that screening every 3 years may be a reasonable approach. This recommendation was published August 24, 2021, and it was still the current USPSTF recommendation when I checked in October 2026.

Bottom line: if you’re 35 or older, or younger with extra weight and a risk factor, ask your doctor at your next visit whether you’re due for a diabetes test.

Start with the CDC’s 1-minute risk test

If you’re not sure where you stand, the CDC’s 1-minute Prediabetes Risk Test is a good place to start. Georgia DPH points people to the same test. The CDC says that if your score shows a high risk, you should see your doctor for a simple blood test to confirm it. The quiz doesn’t diagnose anything, but it’s a useful nudge to have the conversation.

A1C and blood sugar numbers: what the ADA uses to diagnose

These are the diagnostic thresholds from the ADA’s 2026 Standards of Care for adults who aren’t pregnant. They are how doctors classify lab results. They are not personal treatment goals. If you already have diabetes, your target numbers should come from your own care team.

Test	Prediabetes	Diabetes
A1C (average blood sugar over roughly the past few months)	5.7% to 6.4%	6.5% or higher
Fasting plasma glucose (no food or calories for at least 8 hours)	100 to 125 mg/dL	126 mg/dL or higher
2-hour plasma glucose during a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test	140 to 199 mg/dL	200 mg/dL or higher
Random plasma glucose, with classic symptoms of high blood sugar	Not used	200 mg/dL or higher

A few things worth knowing:

• Unless blood sugar is clearly very high, the ADA says a diabetes diagnosis needs two abnormal results. That can be two different tests from the same blood draw (like A1C and fasting glucose) or the same test repeated on a different day.
• The ADA notes that for all three tests, risk is continuous. It starts below the prediabetes range and climbs faster toward the top of it.
• The ADA also says there isn’t enough evidence yet to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to screen for or diagnose prediabetes or diabetes. Over-the-counter sensors are popular, but a lab test is still how a diagnosis is made.

Common diabetes medicines, in plain English

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) explains that some people with type 2 diabetes can manage blood sugar with lifestyle changes, but many need medicine too, and over time they may need more than one. Which medicine you take depends on your health, your other conditions, your insurance and costs, and your lifestyle. That’s a decision for you and your prescriber. Here’s a quick tour of the classes I talk about most at the counter.

Metformin

According to NIDDK, most people with type 2 diabetes start with metformin. It helps the liver make less glucose and helps the body use insulin better. The ADA’s 2026 Standards describe metformin as effective, safe, inexpensive, and widely available. The ADA lists stomach upset as the main side effect and notes it can be eased with slow dose increases, extended-release forms, and taking it with food. Long-term use can lower vitamin B12, so your doctor may check it. Metformin by itself isn’t expected to cause low blood sugar. For much more detail, read our Metformin 101 guide.

GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medicines

These are mostly once-weekly or daily injections, and there’s an oral form of semaglutide. NIDDK says GLP-1 receptor agonists help keep blood sugar from rising too high after eating, may make you feel less hungry, and may help with weight loss. It also notes they aren’t a substitute for insulin. The ADA groups them with tirzepatide, a dual GIP and GLP-1 medicine.

The ADA’s counseling points for these medicines include stomach side effects like nausea. It suggests smaller meals, stopping when you feel full, and going easy on high-fat or spicy foods. If you’re having a procedure that involves anesthesia or sedation, ask for guidance ahead of time on whether to pause the medicine. The ADA also notes that some of these medicines can affect how well oral medicines are absorbed while the dose is being increased, including birth control pills. If that applies to you, it’s worth a quick conversation with your pharmacist.

SGLT2 inhibitors

These are once-daily pills, such as empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin. The ADA’s 2026 Standards describe them as lowering blood sugar and, for many people with type 2 diabetes, helping protect the heart and kidneys. Because they work by helping the kidneys remove extra glucose through the urine, the ADA lists genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections among the side effects to watch for, along with dehydration, especially when you’re sick or not eating. It also flags diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which it describes as rare in type 2 diabetes but serious. The ADA recommends reducing that risk with sick-day planning.

Insulin

NIDDK explains that people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin because the pancreas doesn’t make it. Many people with type 2 diabetes take medicines that may include insulin, and some who don’t usually take it may need it at special times, like during a hospital stay. Insulin comes in rapid-, short-, intermediate-, long-, and ultra long-acting types, and it can be given with a needle and syringe, an insulin pen, or an insulin pump. Insulin is one of the medicines most likely to cause low blood sugar, and the ADA’s 2026 table lists the same risk for sulfonylureas (like glipizide and glimepiride). If you take either, knowing the signs of a low matters.

Tips that apply to almost every diabetes medicine

• Take it consistently. NIDDK’s National Diabetes Month guidance is to take your medicines even if you feel healthy, and to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having trouble taking them on time or at the right dose. (If the clocks falling back on November 1 threw off your routine, our daylight saving time medication tips can help.)
• Know the brand and generic names of everything you take, and keep an updated list in your wallet or phone.
• Ask the questions NIDDK suggests when you get a new prescription: When should I take it, and with or without food? What should I do if I forget a dose? Can it cause low blood sugar? How should I store it? If I’m sick and can’t keep food down, should I still take it?
• Plan your supply. The CDC’s sick-day guidance says to keep enough insulin, other diabetes medicines, and easy-to-make foods on hand for several weeks or longer. Running out of a weekly injection or test strips over a holiday weekend is a problem nobody needs, so check your supply before Thanksgiving week.

Low blood sugar: signs to know

The CDC defines low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) as a level below 70 mg/dL and severe low blood sugar as below 54 mg/dL. Common signs, according to the CDC, include:

• Fast heartbeat
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Irritability or confusion
• Dizziness
• Hunger

As it gets worse, the CDC says people may feel weak, have trouble walking or seeing clearly, act strange or confused, or have seizures, and they often need someone else’s help. Some people don’t feel symptoms at all, which the CDC calls hypoglycemia unawareness. It’s more likely if you’ve had diabetes for more than 5 to 10 years, have frequent lows, or take certain medicines such as beta blockers.

The ADA’s 2026 Standards say people at risk should get clear instructions on treating a low. For most people, that means eating or drinking 15 grams of carbohydrate (pure glucose is preferred), rechecking in 15 minutes, and repeating if needed. If someone isn’t alert or can’t take carbohydrate on their own, the ADA says to call emergency medical services (911). Ask your prescriber or pharmacist to walk you through your own plan, and make sure the people you live with know it too.

Sick days: questions to ask your doctor now

Colds, flu, and stomach bugs pick up this time of year. The CDC notes that illness can make blood sugar harder to manage, because the hormones your body releases to fight illness can raise blood sugar. The ADA says clinicians should reevaluate diabetes treatment during illness and may consider pausing some medicines, including metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 medicines, in certain situations, like when you can’t keep food or fluids down. That’s a decision for your care team, not something to work out on your own, so the time to ask is before you get sick. Questions to bring to your next appointment:

• Which of my medicines, if any, should I pause or change if I can’t eat or keep fluids down?
• How often should I check my blood sugar when I’m sick?
• Should I keep ketone test strips at home, and when should I use them?
• At what point should I call you, and when should I go to the emergency room?

For general preparation, the CDC suggests keeping a thermometer and easy foods on hand, like canned soup, crackers, unsweetened applesauce, and sports drinks. It also lists reasons to go to the emergency room right away, including trouble breathing, ketones in your urine, not being able to keep liquids down for more than 4 hours, vomiting or severe diarrhea for more than 6 hours, and blood sugar below 60 mg/dL. Before you take an over-the-counter cold medicine, check with your pharmacist. Our OTC cold medicine guide is a good place to start.

Thanksgiving and the holidays with diabetes

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and around here that usually means a long table and more casseroles than anyone needs. The CDC’s holiday tips are realistic, and none of them ask you to skip the food you love:

• Eat close to your usual times, and don’t skip meals to “save up” for the big one. Showing up starving makes overeating more likely.
• Plan your carbs. If you want dessert, the CDC suggests cutting back on other carbs like potatoes, bread, or pasta dishes.
• Fill at least half your plate with vegetables, eat slowly, and drink plenty of water. The CDC notes it takes at least 20 minutes for your brain to realize you’re full.
• Go easy on alcohol. If you drink, the CDC says to avoid sugary mixers and to eat food with it.
• Keep checking your blood sugar if you normally do, even in the middle of the festivities.
• Take a walk. Even 10 minutes after a big meal helps, according to the CDC. Bring the family along.

One more from the CDC that I really like: if someone at your table has diabetes, support them, but don’t police their plate.

Don’t skip your foot, eye, and kidney checkups

Diabetes complications can start without symptoms, so these checkups are worth keeping on the calendar. The USPSTF notes diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure and new cases of blindness in U.S. adults. Here’s what the ADA’s 2026 Standards recommend:

• Feet. The ADA recommends a comprehensive foot exam at least once a year, and a foot check at every visit for people who’ve lost feeling in their feet or had an ulcer. NIDDK suggests checking your own feet every day. Taking off your shoes in the evening is a good reminder. Look for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, or blisters, including between the toes.
• Eyes. The ADA recommends a dilated, comprehensive eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist when type 2 diabetes is diagnosed. After that, exams may be spaced to every 1 to 2 years if there’s no sign of retinopathy and blood sugar is at goal, and they should happen at least yearly if retinopathy is found. NIDDK’s general advice is a dilated eye exam once a year. NIDDK notes there are often no warning signs when diabetic eye disease first starts.
• Kidneys. The ADA recommends checking kidney function at least once a year in everyone with type 2 diabetes. That means a urine test (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio) and a blood test (eGFR). According to the ADA, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S.

NIDDK’s National Diabetes Month guidance also points to the “ABCs”: your A1C, Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. Ask your care team what your ABC goals should be.

Have prediabetes? Look into the National Diabetes Prevention Program

If your doctor tells you that you have prediabetes, the CDC recommends joining a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program through the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP). The CDC describes it as a yearlong program led by a trained lifestyle coach. It focuses on healthier eating, more physical activity, and managing stress, with group support, and it’s offered both in person and online. The CDC says research shows people who make these kinds of changes can cut their risk for type 2 diabetes in half.

The USPSTF also recommends that clinicians refer people with prediabetes to effective preventive interventions. You can use the CDC’s “Find a Program” tool on the National DPP site to search for in-person options in Southeast Georgia or programs you can join online.

How Walker Pharmacy can help this month

We don’t diagnose diabetes or change your treatment plan. That’s between you and your physician. But a good pharmacy can make the day-to-day easier:

• Medication synchronization. We can line up your refills so your metformin, blood pressure pills, and other maintenance medicines are ready on the same day. That means fewer trips and fewer gaps.
• Free prescription delivery in our local service areas, which helps during a busy holiday week or when you’re under the weather.
• Online prescription refills, so you can request a refill any time of day without waiting on hold.
• Easy prescription transfers if you’d like to move your prescriptions to us.
• Walker Home Medical / DME for home medical equipment needs. Ask your local store what’s available.

Bring your medication list or your bottles to Walker Pharmacy & Boutique or Walker Pharmacy & Gifts in Statesboro, Brooklet Drug, Walker Pharmacy Lyons, or Walker Pharmacy Vidalia. We’ll go over what each medicine is for, how to take it, and which questions to bring to your next doctor’s visit.

If you’re on Medicare, diabetes medicines are often some of the most expensive drugs on the list, so they’re worth checking against your plan’s coverage for next year. Our Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 checklist walks through what to review before December 7. You’ll find more seasonal tips in Health News.

Frequently asked questions

When is National Diabetes Month?

National Diabetes Month is every November. NIDDK describes it as a time when communities across the country bring attention to diabetes. It’s a good reminder to learn your risk, ask your doctor about screening, and review your medicines with your pharmacist.

What A1C level means prediabetes or diabetes?

Under the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Standards of Care, an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% is in the prediabetes range, and 6.5% or higher meets the threshold for diabetes. Unless blood sugar is clearly very high, a diagnosis needs two abnormal results. These are diagnostic cutoffs, not personal treatment goals, so ask your care team what your own target should be.

At what age should I get screened for diabetes?

The ADA’s 2026 Standards say testing should begin at age 35 for most adults, or earlier for adults of any age with overweight or obesity and one or more risk factors. The USPSTF recommends screening adults ages 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity. If your results are normal, both suggest repeating the test about every 3 years. Ask your doctor what’s right for you.

How can I find out if I’m at risk for prediabetes?

Start with the CDC’s free 1-minute Prediabetes Risk Test online. If your score shows a high risk, the CDC recommends seeing your doctor for a simple blood test to confirm it. The CDC says 8 in 10 people with prediabetes don’t know they have it, because there are usually no signs.

What are the signs of low blood sugar?

The CDC says blood sugar below 70 mg/dL is considered low. Common signs include a fast heartbeat, shaking, sweating, nervousness, irritability or confusion, dizziness, and hunger. Some people don’t feel symptoms at all. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, ask your prescriber or pharmacist for a plan for treating lows.

Should I keep taking my diabetes medicine when I’m sick?

It depends on the medicine and your situation, so ask your doctor for a sick-day plan before you get sick. The CDC’s general advice is to keep taking insulin and diabetes pills as usual and to check blood sugar more often. The ADA notes that clinicians may consider pausing some medicines, like metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or GLP-1 medicines, if you can’t keep food or fluids down. Don’t stop or change a medicine without checking with your care team.

Ready for a pharmacy that feels like home?

If you want a pharmacy team that knows your name, keeps an eye on your whole medication list, and takes time to answer your diabetes questions, transfer your prescriptions to Walker Pharmacy. Transferring is simple, and we’re happy to help. You can also learn more about our family-owned pharmacy, serving Southeast Georgia since 1984.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “National Diabetes Statistics Report” (updated and reviewed September 16, 2026). CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report.
• American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. “2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.” Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl. 1):S27. ADA Standards of Care 2026, Section 2.
• American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. “6. Glycemic Goals, Hypoglycemia, and Hyperglycemic Crises: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.” Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl. 1):S132. ADA Standards of Care 2026, Section 6.
• American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. “9. Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.” Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl. 1):S183–S215. ADA Standards of Care 2026, Section 9.
• American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. “11. Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.” Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl. 1):S246–S260. ADA Standards of Care 2026, Section 11.
• American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. “12. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.” Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl. 1):S261. ADA Standards of Care 2026, Section 12.
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. “Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening” (final recommendation, August 24, 2021). USPSTF diabetes screening recommendation.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes” (May 15, 2024). CDC Preventing Type 2 Diabetes.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Prediabetes Risk Test.” CDC Prediabetes Risk Test.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “National Diabetes Prevention Program” and “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes with the Lifestyle Change Program” (May 15, 2024). CDC National DPP; CDC lifestyle change program.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)” (May 16, 2024). CDC low blood sugar.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Managing Sick Days” (May 15, 2024). CDC managing sick days.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Healthy Eating and the Holidays” (May 15, 2024). CDC healthy eating and the holidays.
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “National Diabetes Month” (last reviewed August 2024). NIDDK National Diabetes Month.
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Insulin, Medicines, & Other Diabetes Treatments” (last reviewed March 2022). NIDDK diabetes medicines.
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Diabetes & Foot Problems” and “Diabetic Eye Disease.” NIDDK foot problems; NIDDK diabetic eye disease.
• Georgia Department of Public Health. “Diabetes” (last reviewed April 14, 2026). Georgia DPH diabetes.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Diagnostic thresholds listed here are not personal treatment goals. Always talk to your pharmacist or physician before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, and ask your care team for a personal sick-day and low blood sugar plan. Information reflects the sources listed above as reviewed in October 2026.

Jordan Walker, PharmD | Owner, Walker Pharmacy