The UF Student Health Care Center is offering free blood glucose tests as part of UF’s Diabetes Awareness Month.
With the American Diabetes Association estimating there are about 7 million people with undiagnosed diabetes, the tests could serve as a first step for those who may have the disease.
Free blood glucose tests will be given today from 9 a.m. until noon. They will be given again at 5:30 p.m. at Century Tower. The tests measure high blood sugar levels, which are among the early signs of diabetes.
Any student with a high-calorie diet and a sedentary lifestyle should consider getting the test and changing his or her habits, said Kathryn Parker, the program manager for diabetes education at UF Health Shands Hospital.
“You’ve got to eat less and move more,” she said.
Students who stop by will get a finger-stick blood test. Results will be given immediately, said Catherine Seemann, the marketing coordinator for the SHCC. About 50 students did the test last year, but this time, they would like to see more get tested, she said.
The test does not determine whether a student has diabetes. Students with high blood sugar levels will be referred to a doctor for further testing, Parker said. Most students won’t find out until about 10 to 15 years after they get the disease.
“They have a stroke or heart attack, and they find out they have diabetes,” Parker said.
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/14/2013 under the headline "Free blood glucose tests today at UF"
