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Writer's pictureRowan Osman
Feb 192 min read

Are you a prediabetic?





What is prediabetes?


It's considered borderline diabetes, where your blood glucose is high but not to the extent that it's considered diabetes.

 Thus it's a reversible syndrome if appropriate prevention and treatment methods were applied, and it could progress to type 2 diabetes mellitus if not managed correctly.



Risks of developing prediabetes:


  1. Genetic predisposition

  2. Family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus

  3. Unhealthy lifestyle

  4. Obesity

  5. Old age

  6. Gestational diabetes



Signs and symptoms of prediabetes:

Most patients don't experience symptoms.


But in the minority of people who do, they might experience:


  1. Increased micturition/urination

  2. Increased thirst and appetite

  3. Unintentional weight loss

  4. Recurrent skin infections

  5. Increased pigmentation of the skin of your neck and/or armpits

  6. Fatigue, blurred vision and sweating


How is prediabetes diagnosed?


  • First, The physician will ask for a fasting blood glucose test, where your blood sugar level is tested after fasting for 8-12 hours.


The ranges for the results of a fasting blood glucose test are:

Normal

Between 70 to 99 mg/dL

Prediabetes

Between 100 and 125 mg/dL



  • Your physician may also ask for a hemoglobin A1c test, this test provides information about your average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months.


The ranges for the results of a HbA1c test are:

Normal

Below 5.7%

Prediabetes

Between 5.7% and 6.4%



How to prevent progression into type 2 diabetes mellitus?


A healthy diet, weight loss and regular exercise are the most effective methods to reverse prediabetes and prevent its progression.


Losing at least 7% of your starting weight, through 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 times a week and following a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low-fat dairy, can help reverse prediabetes.


On the other hand, hypoglycemic and antidiabetic drugs are not recommended in prediabetes, unless the physician proclaims you as a high-risk patient for diabetes mellitus.





 


References


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