Type 2 Diabetes in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, type 2 diabetes is common, especially among adults over 40, people with overweight or obesity, and those with a family history of diabetes. Local health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health all provide specialized diabetes care and education.

How Your Body Uses Glucose

Glucose is your body’s main source of energy.

Where glucose comes from

Glucose comes from foods that contain carbohydrates, such as:

  • Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes
  • Fruit and fruit juice
  • Milk and yogurt
  • Sweets and sugary drinks

After you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. This glucose:

  • Enters your bloodstream
  • Moves into your body’s cells to be used for energy
  • Is stored in your liver or converted to fat if there is more than you need

You always need some glucose in your blood, but too much for too long leads to type 2 diabetes and its complications.

The Role of Insulin

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It acts like a “key” that unlocks your cells so glucose can move from your blood into your muscles and other tissues.

Insulin helps:

  • Lower blood glucose levels
  • Store extra glucose in the liver
  • Store energy in fat and muscle tissue

What Happens in Type 2 Diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes:

  • Your body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance), and
  • Your pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep blood sugar in a healthy range

When insulin cannot do its job:

  • Glucose builds up in the blood
  • Cells do not get enough glucose for energy
  • Blood sugar stays high over time and can damage many parts of the body

Type 2 vs Type 1 and Gestational Diabetes

  • Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 cannot make insulin and must take insulin injections to survive.
  • Type 2 diabetes is mainly related to insulin resistance and reduced insulin production over time. It is strongly linked to lifestyle, weight, age, family history, and genetics.
  • Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

In the United States, type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of diabetes cases. In Grand Rapids, rising rates of overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyles (especially during long Michigan winters), and aging populations all contribute to increasing type 2 diabetes diagnoses.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

High blood glucose levels often cause signs and symptoms, but some people have no symptoms at all.

Common symptoms include:

  • Being more thirsty than usual
  • Passing more urine than usual
  • Feeling tired or lacking energy
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing cuts or sores
  • Frequent infections (for example, skin, gum, or bladder infections)

Some people in Grand Rapids may dismiss these symptoms as “just getting older” or “just the winter blues,” which can delay diagnosis. That’s why regular checkups with a local primary care provider are important, especially if you have risk factors.

Who Is at Higher Risk in Grand Rapids?

There are both genetic and lifestyle risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

Medical and personal risk factors

You are at higher risk if you:

  • Have pre-diabetes (higher-than-normal blood sugar, but not yet diabetes)
  • Are aged 40 or over, especially if you are overweight or obese
  • Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or sister) with type 2 diabetes
  • Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Have cardiovascular disease (heart attack, angina, stroke, narrowed blood vessels)
  • Are a woman who:
    • Has had gestational diabetes
    • Has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is overweight
  • Take certain medications such as:
    • Some antipsychotic medications
    • Long-term corticosteroids

Lifestyle risk factors

Lifestyle factors that raise your risk of type 2 diabetes include:

  • Being overweight, especially carrying extra weight around your waist
  • Low levels of physical activity
  • Sitting for long periods (for example, more than 2 hours of TV or screen time per day)
  • Unhealthy eating habits, such as:
    • Frequent fast food
    • High-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, or low-fiber foods
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Long-term stress and poor sleep

In Grand Rapids, cold, snowy winters and shorter daylight hours can make it harder to stay active outdoors, which may increase risk. Indoor activity options—local gyms, mall walking, home exercise, or using community centers—are especially important during Michigan’s winter months.

Pre-Diabetes: An Important Warning Sign

If your blood sugar is higher than normal but not in the diabetes range, you may have pre-diabetes. This includes:

  • Impaired fasting glucose (IFG): fasting blood sugar is raised, but not high enough for diabetes
  • Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT): blood sugar is raised after a glucose drink, but not high enough for diabetes

Pre-diabetes is common and serious, but it is also a critical opportunity. Many people with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by:

  • Losing 5–10% of their body weight if they are overweight
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Following a healthy eating plan

If you live in Grand Rapids, talk with your doctor or a local dietitian at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health about creating a plan to lower your risk. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also connect you with local prevention and lifestyle programs.

How Type 2 Diabetes Is Diagnosed

If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it’s important not to wait for symptoms. Your doctor in Grand Rapids can order laboratory blood tests (not just a home blood glucose meter) to check for diabetes.

Main blood tests for diabetes

  1. Fasting blood glucose test

    • You fast (no food or drinks with calories) for at least 8 hours and no more than 16 hours
    • You can drink water during the fasting period
    • A blood sample is then taken to measure your fasting blood sugar

  2. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

    • You fast overnight
    • A blood sample is taken
    • You drink a glucose drink (usually 75 grams)
    • Blood samples are taken again at 1 hour and 2 hours after the drink
    • This test checks how well your body handles a large amount of glucose

  3. Random blood glucose test

    • Can be done at any time of the day
    • Does not require fasting
    • Often used as a quick screening test

  4. HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) test

    • Shows your average blood glucose over the past 10–12 weeks
    • No fasting is needed
    • This is one of the most common tests used to diagnose and monitor diabetes

If a test shows results in the diabetes range but you do not have typical symptoms, your doctor will usually repeat the test on another day to confirm the diagnosis.

Factors that can affect test accuracy

Blood glucose and HbA1c results can be affected by:

  • Not fasting for the correct amount of time before a fasting test
  • Being unwell before or during the test
  • Certain medications, such as cortisone
  • Some types of anemia and blood disorders

If you think your result might not be accurate, discuss it with your doctor. Local labs in Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics follow strict standards, but it’s still important to prepare correctly for your test.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Grand Rapids

The main goals of type 2 diabetes treatment are to:

  • Keep blood glucose levels as close to the recommended range as possible
  • Reduce the risk of long-term complications
  • Keep you feeling well and active in your daily life

Key parts of diabetes management

  • Healthy eating
  • Regular physical activity
  • Weight loss if you are overweight, and maintaining that loss
  • Glucose-lowering medications and sometimes insulin
  • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Regular diabetes checks of your eyes, feet, kidneys, and heart
  • Emotional and mental health support

Local diabetes clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health offer diabetes educators, dietitians, endocrinologists, and support programs tailored to people living in West Michigan.

Blood Glucose Targets

Blood glucose targets are individualized. Your personal target will depend on your:

  • Age
  • Other medical conditions
  • Risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Medications you are taking

If you are taking diabetes tablets that can cause low blood sugar or if you use insulin, your doctor may recommend targets similar to:

  • Before meals: typically around 6–8 mmol/L (your exact target may differ)

Your doctor or diabetes educator will explain the right range for you and how often you should check your blood glucose at home.

Managing Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

People with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in the recommended range is essential to protect:

  • Your heart and blood vessels
  • Your kidneys
  • Your eyes
  • The nerves in your feet and hands

Regular checks of:

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol and triglycerides
  • Kidney function
  • Long-term blood glucose (HbA1c)

are an important part of diabetes care. Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids, along with your diabetes team, will help you schedule these tests.

Your Diabetes Healthcare Team in Grand Rapids

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition, and it’s best managed with a supportive healthcare team—and you are the most important member.

Your diabetes care team may include:

  • Primary care doctor / GP
  • Diabetes educator
  • Dietitian
  • Podiatrist (foot care specialist)
  • Endocrinologist (diabetes specialist)
  • Eye specialist (ophthalmologist or optometrist)
  • Kidney specialist (nephrologist) if needed
  • Exercise physiologist or physical therapist
  • Counselor, psychologist, or social worker

In Grand Rapids, you can find diabetes care teams through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) diabetes and endocrinology clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids diabetes services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health diabetes programs
  • Mercy Health diabetes education services

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also help you find community resources, education classes, and support groups.

Lifestyle Tips for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

1. Healthy eating

  • Follow a balanced eating plan with guidance from a registered dietitian
  • Choose:
    • High-fiber foods (whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruits)
    • Lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans, tofu)
    • Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado)
  • Limit:
    • Sugary drinks and sweets
    • Deep-fried and fast foods
    • Highly processed snacks
  • Watch portion sizes, especially for starchy foods (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes)

Local dietitians in Grand Rapids (through hospital systems or private practices) can help you create a meal plan that fits your culture, budget, and schedule.

2. Physical activity

  • Aim for regular physical activity most days of the week
  • Include:
    • Brisk walking
    • Cycling (indoor or outdoor)
    • Swimming at local community centers
    • Strength training 2–3 times per week

In Michigan, weather can be a barrier. During winter, consider:

  • Indoor walking at shopping malls
  • Home exercise videos or online classes
  • Community fitness centers and YMCA programs

Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have heart disease, nerve problems in your feet, or other health issues.

3. Medication and insulin

  • Take your diabetes medications and/or insulin exactly as prescribed
  • Do not change or stop medications without talking to your doctor
  • Ask your diabetes educator to show you:
    • How and when to take each medication
    • How to inject insulin if needed
    • How to recognize and treat low blood sugar

4. Blood glucose monitoring

  • Check your blood glucose as often as recommended by your doctor or diabetes educator
  • Keep a record of your readings and bring them to your appointments
  • Ask your care team what to do if your readings are:
    • Consistently too high
    • Too low

5. Regular checkups

See your doctor regularly, even if you feel well. Routine diabetes visits typically include:

  • Review of blood glucose and HbA1c
  • Blood pressure check
  • Weight and waist measurement
  • Foot exam
  • Review of medications and side effects
  • Discussion of lifestyle, stress, and mental health

Emotional Health and Support in Grand Rapids

Living with type 2 diabetes can be stressful. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Keeping a positive, realistic outlook and seeking support can make a big difference.

If you feel anxious, depressed, or burned out from managing diabetes, talk with:

  • Your doctor
  • A counselor, psychologist, or social worker
  • Local mental health services in Grand Rapids

You can also ask your care team about:

  • Local diabetes support groups
  • Online support communities
  • Community health programs through Kent County Health Department

When Type 2 Diabetes Can Improve or Go Into Remission

Early evidence shows that some people with type 2 diabetes—especially those who are overweight and recently diagnosed—may be able to achieve diabetes remission (normal blood sugar without diabetes medications) if they:

  • Lose a significant amount of weight under medical supervision
  • Maintain healthy eating and regular physical activity

This should always be done with guidance from your doctor and diabetes team. Not everyone will achieve remission, but many people can improve their blood sugar control and reduce their medication needs.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in Grand Rapids or Kent County and are concerned about type 2 diabetes, you can:

  • Make an appointment with your primary care doctor
  • Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist or diabetes specialist
  • Connect with a diabetes educator or dietitian through:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for local programs, screenings, and education

Key Points About Type 2 Diabetes in Grand Rapids

  • Your body uses glucose as its main source of energy, but too much glucose in the blood damages your body over time.
  • High blood glucose levels over months and years can harm your heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
  • Women with gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
  • Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed with early lifestyle changes—healthy eating, regular exercise, and weight management.
  • High blood glucose levels often cause signs and symptoms, but some people have no symptoms, so regular checkups are important.
  • Local healthcare systems and public health agencies in Grand Rapids, Michigan offer strong resources to help you prevent, detect, and manage type 2 diabetes.

If you are worried about your risk or your symptoms, schedule an appointment with a Grand Rapids healthcare provider and ask about diabetes testing and prevention today.