Diabetes

Prediabetes

Diabetes
Related glands
Pancreas
Related Hormones
Glucagon
Insulin

What is prediabetes?

People with diabetes have elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels, which damage the body over time if left untreated.  

Prediabetes is a health condition with blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough yet to be considered type 2 diabetes.  Without treatment, prediabetes can become type 2 diabetes. 

What causes prediabetes?

Prediabetes is an indicator that your body is starting to become resistant to insulin and glucose is starting to accumulate in the blood. Risk factors include unhealthy diet, excess weight, family history, advanced age and smoking. 

How is prediabetes diagnosed?

There are different ways to test for prediabetes:  

  • A standard blood glucose test to measure glucose levels in the blood. 
  • An HbA1c test to measure the average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months. 
  • An oral glucose tolerance test to measure blood glucose level before and after a carbohydrate drink. 

What are the signs and symptoms of prediabetes?

Prediabetes is asymptomatic, meaning without symptoms. 

However, it can lead to serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes and problems with your heart, blood vessels, eyes and kidneys. 

How is prediabetes treated?

Prediabetes treatment can reverse prediabetes and prevent more serious health problems. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a healthy diet and without smoking can decrease the risk for developing type 2 diabetes considerably. 

Contact a specialist

This website is not intended to provide advice or a diagnosis. This website is only intended to provide information. Do you have questions? Talk to your doctor or contact a specialist