About Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a serious metabolic condition that should never be ignored. It is now estimated that 1 in 4 teens have pre-diabetes and in the total population, more than 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Left untreated, many will develop full blown type 2 diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of pre-diabetes are not always obvious. In fact, most people do not even know that they have the condition until a doctor diagnoses them with pre-diabetes.

A few signs some people have include excessive weight gain or the inability to lose weight, adult acne, infertility in women, high blood pressure, skin tags, and changes in the skin called acanthosis nigricans. Some women, may also suffer from alopecia. All these things can be a warning sign of insulin resistance which is associated with pre-diabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose or A1C levels—which reflect average blood glucose levels—are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Insulin resistance increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Both IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) indicate pre-diabetes and are associated with an increase risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes including weight loss and an exercise program, as well as possible oral medications are sometimes indicated. (See charts below)

There is no cure for type 2 (or type 1) diabetes, but pre-diabetes can often be completely reversed with proper medical intervention and changes in lifestyle.

Reference Charts and Tables

• Body Mass Index Information
• Morning Fasting Blood Glucose
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Ranges (non-pregnant)
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (pregnancy)
• Glucose Challenge Test (gestational diabetes)
• Waist-to-hip ratio chart and instructions

Having an apple shaped body can be a warning sign of insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.

Studies have shown that people with an apple body shape who store excess fat around the mid-section (tummy and chest areas) are more likely to develop pre-diabetes than those with pear body shapes. People with an apple-shaped body also have an increased risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and gall bladder disease.

Genes, lifestyle, and weight all play an important role in who will become pre-diabetic. Children, teens, and adults can develop pre-diabetes and never know it, but genese play a strong role in your risk factors and if a family member has already been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, you also have an increased risk of developing diabetes. [Risk Factors For Pre-Diabetes]

You may think you can ignore pre-diabetes because it is not yet diabetes, but merely an early warning sign. It is important to know that if you do not take pre-diabetes seriously and do develop type 2 diabetes you will still have to make lifestyle changes, take medications, and possibly even have to take insulin injections.

There is no cure for type 2 diabetes and once you have it if you don’t follow of healthy lifestyle you will risk developing complications including losing your feet, eyesight, kidney failure, and even premature death.

Pre-diabetes can often be reversed if taken seriously.

If you have pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, or impaired glucose tolerance you need to take it seriously. If you do not – your condition will get worse. The good news is that with the right approach, pre-diabetes is often able to be reversed.

Normal Blood Sugar and Impaired Glucose Tolerance Ranges

Do You Have Pre-Diabetes?  Find out by using a home glucose meter to test your blood sugar and then compare your results to the chart below.  Not sure how to test blood sugars?  No problem, can found information about testing your blood sugars in the article links below.  Be sure to follow-up with your doctor — you should never attempt to self-diagnose you, or anyone else with any medical condition.

• 7 Tips For Getting Accurate Blood Sugar Test Results
• 7 Tips For Testing Your Blood Sugar with Less Finger Pain
• How to Test Your Blood Sugar
• Information About Lancets and Lancing Devices