Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes. Nearly 100 million US adults have prediabetes; 80% of them don’t even know it.

Causes

Prediabetes occurs when your body’s cells become insulin resistant. Insulin is like a “key” that lets glucose (sugar) into your cells, where it’s used for energy. If your cells don’t “unlock” to let the glucose in, it stays in your blood and makes your blood sugar too high. Factors that contribute to prediabetes include:

Overweight/Obesity

Extra fat, especially around your belly, can make it harder for your body to use insulin.

Inactivity

Lack of exercise can make it easier to become insulin resistant.

Age

Risk increases after age 45, but it can happen earlier if other risk factors are there.

Family History

If your parents or siblings have diabetes, you're more likely to get prediabetes.

Poor Diet

Constantly eating unhealthy foods can make it harder for your body to use insulin.

symptoms

One of the biggest challenges with prediabetes is that it often has no symptoms. Many people don’t know they have it until it's found during a routine check-up. However, some people may notice:

Constant Thirst/Hunger

Frequent Urination

Fatigue/Tiredness

Blurred Vision

Slow Wound Healing

Numbness or Tingling in Hands/Feet

DiagnosIs

The following tests measure blood sugar levels and can diagnose prediabetes.

Fasting Plasma Glucose
This test measures your blood sugar after fasting (not eating or drinking anything but water) for at least eight hours.
- Normal: 70–99 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher (on two separate tests)
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This test checks your blood sugar levels after you drink a sugary solution. Your blood sugar is then tested at few times over the next few hours to see how your body responds.
- Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL
- Prediabetes/Diabetes: 140 mg/dL or higher
Hemoglobin A1c
This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. It gives an overall picture of how well your blood sugar has been controlled over time.
- Normal: Below 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7%–6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

Treatment

Prediabetes can often be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes.

Dietary Changes

Aim to eat whole foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Reduce sugary and processed foods, too.

Exercise

Exercise helps your body use insulin more effectively. Even just 30 minutes a day of movement can make a huge difference. Talk to your provider before starting exercise. Start slowly and build up your activity over time.

Weight Loss

If you are overweight, losing even a small amount can help to improve your blood sugar. Set realistic goals and work with your provider to get through the process of making these changes.

If dietary/lifestyle changes don’t help, you may need a medication like metformin, which helps lower blood sugar and makes your body more sensitive to insulin.

How We Can Help

During your annual check-up, your provider will check for signs of prediabetes, including blood sugar testing. If your blood sugar is elevated, your provider will work with you to create a plan to manage and improve your levels. You might also work with one of our care coaches who can provide you with additional support, resources, and guidance on how to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

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