Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood sugar stays too high because the body no longer uses insulin well and cannot keep glucose in a healthy range. Prediabetes is the earlier stage, where blood sugar is higher than normal and not yet in the diabetes range, and it is often a signal that there is still time to change course. Avita MD primary care providers diagnose and manage both type 2 diabetes and prediabetes for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos, pairing on-site lab testing with a plan you can sustain.

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Prediabetes usually causes no symptoms, and early type 2 diabetes can be quiet as well, which is why testing matters. When blood sugar runs high, symptoms can develop gradually and may include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision

Slow-healing cuts and frequent infections can also point to high blood sugar.

Blood sugar and A1C categories

These are the standard diagnostic ranges from the CDC. The A1C reflects your average blood sugar over the past two to three months.

Category	A1C	Fasting blood sugar
Normal	Below 5.7%	99 mg/dL or below
Prediabetes	5.7% to 6.4%	100 to 125 mg/dL
Diabetes	6.5% or higher	126 mg/dL or higher

Diagnosis is confirmed with testing rather than symptoms alone.

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat type 2 diabetes?

Diagnosis starts with a simple blood test, usually an A1C or a fasting glucose, both of which can be drawn on-site through phlebotomy at every location. If you are diagnosed, we also check related numbers such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and kidney function, since these conditions often occur together and shape the plan.

Management is built around steady, realistic change. For prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes, that often means nutrition guidance, regular activity, and weight management, which can return blood sugar toward normal for many people. When medication is appropriate we discuss options ranging from metformin to newer GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, and our Medical Weight Loss program supports the weight-related side of care. Because the same provider tracks your A1C and other results across visits, we can see longitudinal trends and adjust before complications develop. Same-day and next-day appointments help when a result needs prompt follow-up, and we coordinate referrals to endocrinology, ophthalmology, or other specialists at Stanford and El Camino Health, including prior authorizations, when added expertise is needed.

When should you see a doctor about type 2 diabetes?

See a doctor for testing if you are age 35 or older, if you have overweight or obesity along with a risk factor such as a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of gestational diabetes, or if you notice symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained fatigue. Catching prediabetes early gives you the best chance to prevent diabetes.

Seek urgent care right away for symptoms of very high blood sugar such as confusion, fruity-smelling breath, vomiting, or trouble breathing, or for signs of very low blood sugar such as shakiness, sweating, and confusion if you take diabetes medication. Call 911 if someone becomes unresponsive.