A1C†† < 7 % for many people

 Preprandial capillary plasma glucose 70 – 130 mg/dl

 Peak postprandial capillary plasma glucose < 180 mg/dl

 (usually 1 to 2 hr after the start of a meal) 

Blood pressure (mmHg)

 Systolic < 130 for most people

Diastolic < 80

Cholesterol – Lipid Profile (mg/dl)

 LDL Cholesterol < 100

HDL Cholesterol Men > 40, Women > 50

Triglycerides < 150

Diabetes

Numbers At-a-Glance 2011†

For non-pregnant adults

NATIONAL DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM (NDEP)

Criteria for Diagnosis of Diabetes*

(1)	A1C	††	≥	6.5% or 

(2)	Fasting	plasma	glucose	≥ 126	mg/dl	or

(3)	2-hr	plasma	glucose	≥ 200	mg/dl	post	75g	oral	glucose	challenge	or

(4) Random plasma glucose ≥	200	mg/dl	with	symptoms 

(polyuria,	polydypsia,	and	unexplained	weight	loss)

*For	criteria	1-3:	Repeat	test	to	confirm	unless	symptoms	are	present.		It	is	

preferable	that	the	same	test	be	repeated	for	confirmation.		If	two	different	tests	

are	used	(e.g.,	FPG	and	A1C)	and	both	indicate	diabetes,	consider	the	diagnosis	

confirmed.		If	the	two	different	tests	are	discordant,	repeat	the	test	above	the	

diagnostic	cut	point.

Criteria for Pre-diabetes**

(1)	Fasting	plasma	glucose	100	–	125	mg/dl	[Impaired	fasting		 	

	 glucose	(IFG)]	or

(2)	2-hr	post	75g	oral	glucose	challenge	140	–	199	mg/dl		 	

	 [Impaired	glucose	tolerance	(IGT)] or

(3)	A1C ††	5.7	%	–	6.4	%	

**For	all	tests,	risk	of	diabetes	is	continuous,	extending	below	the	lower	limit	of	the	

range	and	becoming	disproportionately	greater	at	higher	ends	of	the	range.

Treatment Goals: the ABCs of Diabetes***

***Individualize target levels. For example, consider:

•	 	A1C	target	as	close	to	normal	as	possible	without	significant	

	 hypoglycemia	in	people	with	short	duration	of	diabetes,	little	

comorbidity,	and	long	life	expectancy.

•	 	Less	stringent	A1C	target	for	people	with	severe	hypoglycemia,	

	 limited	life	expectancy,	extensive	comorbid	conditions,	advanced	

complications,	or	longstanding	diabetes	where	the	general	goal	is	

difficult	to	attain	despite	optimal	efforts.

•	 H	 igher	or	lower	systolic	blood	pressure	targets	may	be	appropriate	

based	on	patient	characteristics	and	response	to	therapy.

See	source	materials	for	treatment	recommendations.

† While	utilizing	American	Diabetes	Association	Standards	of	Medical Care, 

Diabetes Care	34	(Suppl.1):	S11-S61,	2011,	NDEP	recognizes	that	guidelines	from	

other	groups	may	vary,	reflecting	the	limitations	and	complexity	of	the	evidence	base.

†† A1C	testing	for	diagnostic	purposes	should	be	performed	in	a	laboratory	using	a	method	that	is	

NGSP	certified.		Point	of	care	A1C	tests	should	not	be	used	for	diagnosis.		Be	alert	to	the	impact	of	

hemoglobin	variants	on	A1C	values.		See	www2.niddk.nih.gov/variants	for	information.
Diabetes Management Schedule

Adults	with	diabetes	should	receive	medical	care	from	a	physiciancoordinated	team	of	health	care	professionals.		Referrals	to	team

members	should	be	made	as	appropriate.

At each regular diabetes visit:

• 	Measure weight and blood pressure.

• 	Inspect feet if one or more high-risk foot conditions are present.

• 	Review self-monitoring glucose record.

• 	Review/adjust medications to control glucose, blood pressure, and

lipids. Consider regular use of low-dose aspirin for CVD prevention as

appropriate.

•	 Review self-management skills, dietary needs, and physical activity.

• 	Assess for depression or other mood disorder.

• 	Counsel on smoking cessation and alcohol use.

Quarterly:

• Obtain A1C in patients whose therapy has changed or who are not

meeting glycemic goals (twice a year if at goal with stable glycemia).

Annually:

• Obtain fasting lipid profile (every 2 years if patient has low-risk lipid

values).

•	 Obtain serum creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate and

stage the level of chronic kidney disease.

• 	Perform urine test for albumin-to-creatinine ratio in patients with

type 1 diabetes > 5 years and in all patients with type 2 diabetes.

• 	Refer for dilated eye exam (if normal, an eye care specialist may advise

an exam every 2–3 years).

• 	Perform comprehensive foot exam.

• 	Refer for dental/oral exam at least once a year.

• 	Administer influenza vaccination.

• 	Review need for other preventive care or treatment.

Lifetime:

• 	Administer pneumococcal vaccination (repeat if over age 64 or

immunocompromised and last vaccination was more than 5 years ago).

To order NDEP materials visit

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or call 

1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337).

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ National

Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is jointly sponsored by

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of

more than 200 partner organizations. 

Updated March 2011 NDEP-12