Discover if prediabetes is a precursor to diabetes and learn preventive measures with expert insights from Meri Sehat.

Does Prediabetes Signal The Onset Of Diabetes?

Prediabetes or borderline diabetes, identified through routine blood tests, often goes unnoticed with no apparent symptoms.

Introduction

The prefix &ldquo;pre-&rdquo; may confuse some people. So your blood sugar level is higher than normal. But what now?

Does this mean you have diabetes? Does this mean you&rsquo;re at increased risk? Can you possibly reverse it? Or, again, is it just a lifelong condition that you have to manage to avoid serious health problems?

That&rsquo;s too many questions. And probably missing a few more that you may have about this condition.

Read on to learn more about your diagnosis and what you should do now. 
&nbsp;

Understanding the relationship between prediabetes and diabetes

&nbsp;Subtle signs like increased nighttime urination, excessive thirst, lethargy, delayed wound healing, blurry vision, genital itching, and unintentional weight loss may be present, hinting at the early stages of type 2 <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/diabetes-type-1-and-2">diabetes</a> (T2D). However, in prediabetes, these symptoms are less pronounced.

Think of prediabetes as a crucial wake-up call; strict adherence to your doctor&#39;s advice can potentially prevent or delay the onset of T2D. Early detection and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle may even result in the reversal of prediabetes. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Step 1: Get Tested</h5>

It is good to get yourself screened for diabetes in case:<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>

<ul>
	<li>You have underlying conditions, such as hypertension, cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome</li>
	<li>You are 45 years of age or older</li>
	<li>You have a parent or sibling with T2D</li>
	<li>You have a BMI of 25 or higher</li>
	<li>You exercise less than 3 times a week</li>
	<li>You smoke</li>
	<li>You take certain medicines, such as steroids</li>
	<li>You have a history of stroke or heart disease 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

For women, screening is essential if:

<ul>
	<li>You have PCOS</li>
	<li>You have gestational diabetes</li>
	<li>Your baby&rsquo;s birth weight was more than 9 pounds 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Step 2: Understand What Level Of Blood Sugar Is Dangerous</h5>

Your doctor may recommend one of the following tests to check your blood sugar:<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>

<ul>
	<li>HbA1C &ndash; Average of blood sugar over the past 2-3 months or insulin resistance test; A1C normal range is less than 5.7% while prediabetes range is 5.7-6.4%</li>
	<li>Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) &ndash; Body&rsquo;s response to sugary drink; OGTT normal range is under 140 mg/dL while prediabetes range is 140-199 mg/dL</li>
	<li>Fasting Blood Glucose &ndash; Blood sugar level after fasting for 8 hours; fasting blood sugar normal range is less than 100 mg/dL while prediabetes range is 100-125 mg/dL 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Step 3: Implement Lifestyle Changes</h5>

Nearly 3-10% of people with prediabetes go on to develop diabetes every year. However, 15-35% are actually able to reverse it.[1] How do they do that?

<ul>
	<li>Eat healthy. Choose whole grains, low-fat cheese, lean proteins, nuts, unsaturated fats, and, yes, plenty of water. Avoid red meat, artificial sugar, and saturated and trans fats.</li>
	<li>Be active. 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise is a good start to help your insulin work more efficiently. Examples include walking, gardening, dancing, biking, and playing basketball or tennis.</li>
	<li>Lose weight.</li>
	<li>Quit smoking.</li>
	<li>Visit a doctor regularly to keep an eye on your cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood glucose levels.</li>
	<li>A professional checkup can also help assess if you need any medications, such as metformin, or weight loss surgery to manage your health. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Prediabetes means your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for diabetes.</li>
	<li>It increases your risk of developing T2D.</li>
	<li>Lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, regular physical activity, and losing weight, are usually the first line of action to treat it.</li>
</ul>

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