AGEs are considered a marker of both the long and short-term exposure to uncontrolled glucose as well as a measure of good glucose management. Once an AGEs baseline has been established, and singe AGE fluorescence cannot be reversed even when a patient is under glucose control, the measure of therapeutic success is through periodic monitoring to see that the fluorescence remains stable over time.
Because the early stages of Diabetes are asymptomatic, many are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed into a stage that is only treatable or controllable with medications and insulin. If detected early, type 2 diabetes can be treated with diet, exercise, and changes in lifestyle.