🩺 Ultrasound Screening: A Promising New Way to Detect Diabetes Risk Early?
- Rebecca Guldberg
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Researchers at the University of Michigan are exploring a groundbreaking way to detect diabetes risk — using ultrasound imaging to identify muscle changes that occur before blood sugar levels even begin to rise. Their findings, published this week, could mark a major step forward in non-invasive early detection of insulin resistance and prediabetes.
Why It Matters
Nearly half of U.S. adults have diabetes or prediabetes, and many don’t know it. Traditional screening tools — such as fasting glucose and A1C tests — can detect diabetes only after metabolic changes are already well underway. By the time blood work shows a problem, the disease may have silently progressed for years.
That’s why this new research is so intriguing. It suggests that structural changes in skeletal muscle — which occur as the body becomes insulin-resistant — can be detected with simple, non-invasive ultrasound imaging, potentially years before conventional tests would pick up warning signs.
How the Technique Works
Radiologist Dr. Steven Soliman and his University of Michigan team used portable ultrasound probes on participants’ thigh and shoulder muscles. They found that individuals with insulin resistance showed “brighter” muscle tissue (a quality called hyperechogenicity) compared to those without metabolic dysfunction.
As Dr. Soliman explained, “Their blood work is normal, but their muscles we now can see are changing using ultrasound.” This means that ultrasound could one day become a low-cost, point-of-care tool to identify at-risk individuals before diabetes develops — offering a new window of opportunity for prevention and lifestyle intervention.
Looking Ahead
The research is still in its early stages and will require larger studies to confirm how reliably ultrasound can predict future diabetes. But if validated, this approach could revolutionize preventive screening — extending from hospitals and clinics to pharmacies, urgent-care centers, and even mobile health kiosks.
Paired with artificial intelligence, ultrasound imaging could help automate risk analysis, making early diabetes detection faster, easier, and more accessible than ever before.
The Takeaway
While not yet ready for clinical use, this technology highlights the power of innovation in tackling one of today’s most widespread health challenges. If ultrasound can truly spot insulin resistance before blood sugar changes, it could transform the way doctors — and patients — think about diabetes prevention.
Source:“University of Michigan researchers explore ultrasound as non-invasive tool to detect diabetes risk,” ClickOnDetroit, October 23, 2025.
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This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.