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Prediabetes occurs when normal blood sugar elevates above normal levels. Without intervention the condition often develops into Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes may go undetected as symptoms are often subtle. It’s important to have regular checkups with blood work, particularly if you are at risk.
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Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar is consistently higher than the normal range, but not high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes type 2. Generally, blood glucose levels below 5.7% are considered normal and levels between 5.7% and 6.4% are diagnosed as prediabetes. A diabetes diagnosis is typically made when glucose levels surpass 6.4%.
According to current diabetes statistics, approximately 96 million U.S. adults (38% of the U.S. population age 18 and older) have prediabetes. Of those, 26.4 million people are at least 65 years old (48.8% of those with prediabetes in the U.S.).
While Type 1 diabetes is a genetic autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, Type 2 diabetes often develops when unmanaged prediabetes progresses.
Prediabetes does not usually produce obvious symptoms. Many people have it for years without noticing that anything is wrong. People who do have symptoms report effects that are similar to diabetes symptoms that patients with other types of diabetes may experience.
Many people with prediabetes are unaware of their condition until a blood test that measures blood sugar levels shows elevated levels within the prediabetes range. Regular checkups are critical, particularly for those at high risk.
Prediabetes can be a dangerous disease even if it never progresses to Type 2 diabetes. Having prediabetes puts people at significantly higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems like heart disease and stroke. It can also cause irreversible damage to blood vessels and kidneys.
Reversing prediabetes is possible with a treatment plan tailored to your medical needs. It’s important to follow your health care team’s prescribed plan closely to help avoid serious complications.
Prediabetes stems from an abnormal response to insulin. Normally the glucose in the food you eat causes cells in your pancreas to secrete insulin, which then prompts the cells to absorb the glucose in your body and use it for fuel.
People with prediabetes develop a resistance to the effects of insulin. Your body produces the same amount as it always did, but the amount is no longer enough to absorb all the glucose in your blood. As a result, glucose builds up in your blood and causes your blood sugar to remain consistently high.
Studies show that genetics play a significant role in the development of prediabetes even in people without other common risk factors. If you have a family history of diabetes or prediabetes, it is important to schedule annual checkups with blood work to monitor your blood sugar. Your doctor can also answer questions and share important health information on prediabetes.
Medical history, genetics, sugar intake and smoking are all significant risk factors for prediabetes. Managing overall health can help mitigate some of these risk factors.
While not all risk factors can be eliminated, some can be managed or mitigated with a customized plan from your medical team. If you are concerned about your risk of developing prediabetes, consult your doctor, who can share important health information with you and may also refer you to other specialists.
When it comes to diabetes testing, physicians use two main exams to diagnose prediabetes: the fasting plasma glucose test and the A1C test (also called the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test).
The fasting plasma glucose test is the most common test, given after you have fasted for at least eight hours. If your blood sugar reading is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you will likely be diagnosed with prediabetes.
When doctors want a better look at your long-term blood sugar trends, they may use the A1C test. It records your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. If your reading is between 5.7% and 6.4%, you will typically be diagnosed with prediabetes.
Doctors also diagnose some people with prediabetes using a glucose tolerance test.
Preventing diabetes is one of the essential goals of prediabetes treatment. It is important to diagnose and begin treatment as early as possible to keep it from developing into Type 2 diabetes. There are several ways to work toward this goal, some of which are similar to other diabetes treatment plans for other types.
Regular exercise has proven to be effective in lowering blood sugar. Aiming to get some moderate aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, multiple days a week can help. Some activities might include swimming, cycling and brisk walking. But it’s essential to speak with your doctor about starting any new exercise program to ensure it’s safe for you.
While weight loss has shown to be effective, it’s essential to approach any meal plan with care to ensure that you’re meeting all of your nutritional needs. Speaking with a licensed and registered dietitian can help you tailor a diabetes diet that meets your specific health needs best.
Reversing prediabetes is possible. Support can help boost success. Many organizations around the country offer diabetes prevention classes on behalf of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The CDC, for example, offers classes around the U.S.
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Editors carefully fact-check all Drugwatch content for accuracy and quality.
Drugwatch has a stringent fact-checking process. It starts with our strict sourcing guidelines.
We only gather information from credible sources. This includes peer-reviewed medical journals, reputable media outlets, government reports, court records and interviews with qualified experts.
Drugwatch.com has provided reliable, trusted information about medications, medical devices and general health since 2008. We’ve also connected thousands of people injured by drugs and medical devices with top-ranked national law firms to take action against negligent corporations.
Our team includes experienced medical writers, award-winning journalists, researchers and certified medical and legal experts. Drugwatch.com is HONCode (Health On the Net Foundation) certified. This means the high-quality information we provide comes from credible sources, such as peer-reviewed medical journals and expert interviews.
The information on Drugwatch.com has been medically and legally reviewed by more than 30 expert contributors, including doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, patient advocates and other health care professionals. Our writers are members of professional associations, including American Medical Writers Association, American Bar Association, The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates and International Society for Medical Publication Professionals.
Michelle Llamas has been writing articles and producing podcasts about drugs, medical devices and the FDA for nearly a decade. She focuses on various medical conditions, health policy, COVID-19, LGBTQ health, mental health and women’s health issues. Michelle collaborates with experts, including board-certified doctors, patients and advocates, to provide trusted health information to the public. Some of her qualifications include:
Drugwatch.com writers follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, court records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and interviews with qualified experts. Review our editorial policy to learn more about our process for producing accurate, current and balanced content.
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