Prediabetes: What it means, and what to do next
- Category: Living Well, Diabetes
- Posted on:
A routine blood test can show if you have prediabetes, which is a warning that you’re at risk of Type 2 diabetes—and a sign to change some of your habits.
Key takeaways
- Prediabetes is a warning sign that comes before Type 2 diabetes, when your body stops responding to insulin as well as it should.
- The only way to check for prediabetes is with a routine blood test, measuring your fasting blood glucose and A1C levels.
- If you have prediabetes, you can take small steps to prevent Type 2 diabetes, including exercise, proper nutrition, better sleep, and stress management.
Prediabetes isn’t a condition—it’s a warning that you’re at risk of Type 2 diabetes. And it’s pretty common. In the United States, millions of people have prediabetes, but 80% of them don’t know they have it.
That’s a problem because when you know you have prediabetes, you can take action to help prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes comes before Type 2 diabetes. You have it when your blood sugar levels are higher than the normal range but not high enough to be diabetes.
Your provider checks for prediabetes during routine blood tests. They look at two numbers: your blood sugar after fasting and A1C (your average blood sugar during the past three months.
| Test | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood sugar | Less than 100 mg/dL | Normal range |
| Fasting blood sugar | 100–125 mg/dL | Prediabetes |
| Fasting blood sugar | 126 mg/dL or higher | Diabetes |
| A1C | Less than 5.7% | Normal range |
| A1C | 5.7–6.4% | Prediabetes |
| A1C | 6.5% or higher | Diabetes |
Prediabetes symptoms
You may not know you have prediabetes because usually, there aren’t clear symptoms. So, it’s extra important to get regular health screenings.
Some people with prediabetes may have early signs of Type 2 diabetes, including:
- Peeing a lot
- Being very thirsty
- Having intense hunger, even after eating
- Experiencing fatigue
What causes prediabetes?
Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes happen when your body stops responding to insulin (also called insulin resistance). Normally, the body uses insulin to turn sugar from food into energy. But when the body can’t use insulin like it should, too much sugar stays in the blood, causing high blood sugar.
Some factors increase your risk for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, such as:
- Age (45 years and older)
- A family history of diabetes
- Excess body fat, especially in the stomach area
- Not enough physical activity
- Gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Unbalanced diet
- Certain medications, including long-term steroids
- Chronic stress
Why you should care
Finding out you have prediabetes doesn’t mean you will definitely get Type 2 diabetes. However, often, without action, prediabetes becomes Type 2 diabetes within five years.
Prediabetes is a chance to make healthy changes to prevent a future health issue. Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of other health complications, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Eye problems
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage, especially in the feet
What to do if you have prediabetes
If you have prediabetes, even small changes to your lifestyle can help manage or reverse disease.
Talk to your doctor
A routine blood screening checks for prediabetes. Make sure you schedule your annual wellness exam with your primary care provider. They’ll look at your numbers and can tell you more about your risk level for diabetes.
Start with small daily habits
Healthy changes don’t have to be big or happen all at once. Try one or all of the following:
- Take a walk after every meal.
- Swap a snack with one higher in fiber and protein, such as Greek yogurt, apples and peanut butter, or hummus and veggies.
- Cut at least one sugary drink out of your diet each day.
- Add a vegetable to all your meals.
- Go for a swim to move your body.
- Try yoga or breathing exercises to reduce stress.
- Prioritize getting enough sleep each night.
Focus on other aspects of your health
You can also help lower your chance of Type 2 diabetes by managing other long-term (chronic) health conditions, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
What you do to benefit your entire body can also reduce insulin resistance. For example, manage sleep disorders if you have them, quit smoking, and keep stress levels under control.
Track your progress
You don’t have to respond to prediabetes on your own. Your primary care provider or dietitian can help you find the best actions to take for your health over time.
And if you are diagnosed with diabetes, our diabetes care specialists at LCMC Health help you manage it in a way that works for you.
Learn about diabetes care at LCMC Health.
Related questions about prediabetes
Are there ways to prevent prediabetes?
Yes, some people can prevent prediabetes and diabetes with:
- Regular exercise
- Weight management
- Proper nutrition
- Not smoking
You may not be able to prevent prediabetes if you have a family history of it.
What are the tests for prediabetes?
There are two blood tests that diagnose prediabetes:
- Fasting plasma glucose test: Measures blood sugar after not eating or drinking for eight or more hours.
- A1C test: Measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.
Who should get tested for prediabetes?
You should start diabetes screenings for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes by at least age 35. If your numbers are in a healthy range, you may only need these screenings every two or three years. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, you’ll need to be tested more often.
These recommendations are from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
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