A U. S. non-profit group representing clinical laboratories have said that a new test can help people learn if they are at risk for diabetes.

Alan Mertz, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association in Washington, said that this test does not require fasting and is not affected by recent dietary changes.

Mertz said in a statement," Ask your doctor about a quick and easy lab test called hemoglobin A1C. The test can tell you if you actually have diabetes or are close to developing it -- a silent and serious condition called pre-diabetes."

Not only will 40 percent of those with pre-diabetes who take no action become fully diabetic in three to eight years, but people with pre-diabetes have a 50 percent greater chance of heart disease, stroke or kidney disease, Mertz added further said.

A clinical trial, called, the Diabetes Protection Project, found making improvements in diet and exercise reduced a pre-diabetic's risk of getting diabetes by 58 percent, Mertz says. (With Input from Agencies)