Prediabetes

While nearly 38 million Americans have diabetes, there is a bigger health concern: prediabetes. More than 1 in 3 (about 98 million) people in the United States have prediabetes and may not even know they have it. Left untreated, it can develop into type 2 diabetes and cause other health problems.

At Banner Health, we’re here for you every step of the way. Read on to understand more about prediabetes and the steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means that your blood sugar (blood glucose) is higher than normal but hasn’t reached diabetic levels. It also means you are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Your blood sugar is an important source of fuel for the body. When you eat, your body breaks the food down into glucose. This sugar is then used by your cells for energy. Your body needs insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, to get glucose into the cells.

In prediabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin properly (insulin resistance). The condition can gradually develop into type 2 diabetes if left untreated.

Who is at risk for prediabetes?

It’s not always clear why some people develop prediabetes, and others don’t. However, some factors like genetics and lifestyle choices may play a role.

You may have an increased risk of getting prediabetes if you have the following risk factors:

• Overweight: Carrying extra body weight – especially around the belly – can contribute to insulin resistance.
• Age: Although diabetes can develop at any age, the risk of prediabetes increases after age 45.
• Family history: If diabetes runs in your family, your risk increases.
• Race: Although it’s not clear why, people of certain races and ethnicities, like Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and Native Americans, are more likely to develop prediabetes.
• Physically inactive: Regular exercise helps control blood sugar levels. Not exercising enough is a risk factor.
• Unhealthy diet: Consuming a lot of processed foods and sugary drinks and not having enough fiber can contribute to an unhealthy diet.
• Gestational diabetes: If you had diabetes during pregnancy, your risk is higher.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): It is estimated that more than half of people with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40.
• Sleep apnea: People with sleep apnea or a sleep disorder have an increased risk of insulin resistance.   

The more of these risk factors you have, the more likely you have prediabetes or will develop it. Learn more about your risk by taking this free diabetes risk assessment.

What are the symptoms of prediabetes?

Prediabetes often doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms. If there are symptoms, you may feel a bit thirstier or need to pee more. Other symptoms may include blurry vision, feeling tired or exhausted and skin darkening in areas like the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans).   

If you notice these signs, it’s worth getting your blood sugar levels checked, especially if you have some of the risk factors. Catching prediabetes early allows you to make changes to prevent it from turning into type 2 diabetes.

How is prediabetes diagnosed?

If your health care provider suspects type 2 diabetes, they will review your medical history, perform a physical exam and order blood tests.

Your provider may ask about your symptoms and when they began. They will also ask about your risk factors for diabetes, such as your diet, exercise habits and family history. You will also have your weight and blood pressure checked. 

A blood test to measure your blood sugar (glucose) levels is important to confirm prediabetes. Here are the common blood tests your provider may recommend:

• Fasting blood sugar test: This is taken after an overnight fast (no food or drinks except water for at least eight hours). A glucose level between 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and 125 mg/dL is diagnosed as prediabetes. 
• Oral glucose tolerance test: You’ll fast overnight, and your blood sugar is tested after drinking a sugary solution. A blood sugar level between 140mg/dL and 199 mg/dL is diagnosed as prediabetes. Anything higher suggests diabetes.
• Hemoglobin A1c test: This test provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. An A1c level between 5.7% and 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. Anything higher indicates diabetes.

What is the treatment for prediabetes?

The good news is that prediabetes is often reversible with lifestyle changes. Here are some things you can do to reverse prediabetes and prevent the development of diabetes:

• Eat healthy: Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Drink plenty of water and limit added sugars and processed foods.
• Exercise daily: Exercise helps your body use more glucose, which may lower your blood sugar. Aim for 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity. Your provider can guide you on a safe exercise plan.
• Regularly check your blood sugar: Your provider will check your blood sugar levels regularly. You may also need to check it at home with a glucose meter tool.
• Get to and maintain a healthy weight: Gaining too much weight or gaining weight too fast can make it harder to manage your blood sugar. If you are overweight, even a small weight loss (about 5% to 10% of your body weight) can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. 
• Quit smoking: Smoking may increase insulin resistance and the risk of type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes. 
• Take Medication: If diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to control your blood sugar, your provider may prescribe medications to help manage it. 
• Have regular check-ups: Keep up with your medical appointments. Regular check-ups allow your care team to see how you are doing and adjust your treatment plan as needed. 

Remember: Your goal is to prevent full diabetes. The good news is that these small changes can make a big impact on your health.

Next step: Learn more about diabetes management and additional support and resources.

Here to help!

At Banner Health, we’re here to support you. Our experienced health care providers offer personalized care, including guidance on nutrition, exercise and monitoring your blood sugar.