Prediabetes: the stage when diabetes can still be prevented
What prediabetes is, which numbers define it, who is most at risk and which changes, according to the CDC, cut the risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
Before type 2 diabetes there is almost always a stage when blood sugar is already high, but not high enough to be diabetes. It is called prediabetes, and it is the best news a blood test can give you: it means you are still in time.
How common it is
According to the CDC, more than 2 in 5 adults in the United States have prediabetes. It almost never causes symptoms, so it usually goes unnoticed until someone looks for it with a blood test.
Which numbers define it
The CDC use three blood tests:
| Test | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| A1C | 5.7% to 6.4% | 6.5% or above |
| Fasting blood sugar | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 126 mg/dL or above |
| Glucose tolerance (2 hours) | 140 to 199 mg/dL | 200 mg/dL or above |
Your doctor decides which one fits your case and, if the result is off, usually repeats it to confirm.
Who is most at risk
The CDC list these factors:
- Being overweight.
- Being 45 or older.
- Having a parent, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes.
- Being physically active less than 3 times a week.
- Having had diabetes during pregnancy, or a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds.
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome.
Background matters too: Hispanic or Latino, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander and some Asian American people are at higher risk.
What actually works
This is the good part. According to the CDC, lifestyle changes can cut the risk of type 2 diabetes in half. The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program lowers it by 58%, and by 71% for people over 60.
The goals are concrete:
- Lose 5% to 7% of your body weight. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, that is 10 to 14 pounds.
- Move for at least 150 minutes a week, such as brisk walking: about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
You do not need to reach an ideal weight or train like an athlete. Small changes you keep up are what count.
Your family doctor’s role
A family doctor can order the test if you have risk factors, explain the result, set realistic goals with you and repeat the test to see whether the changes are working. At our clinic we follow prediabetes, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol with labs and regular visits, in English or Spanish.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prediabetes – Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes Testing.
This article is general information about our clinic and about prediabetes. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a professional. Do not change or stop your medications without talking to your doctor. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.