Prediabetes Diagnosis: Now What?

Prediabetes is a warning sign that it's time to make lifestyle changes to reduce your sugar levels and prevent, or delay, the onset of type 2 diabetes and other medical conditions associated with diabetes. An expert tells you what you can do now.

Abnormally high blood glucose is fairly common in the US

Prev Next Slide 1 of 8

Know the Facts

More than 1 out of 3 American adults has abnormally high blood glucose (blood sugar) in the prediabetes range of 100 to 125 mg/dL, as measured by a routine lab test. This is generally confirmed when the results of a test known as A1C fall between 5.7 and 6.4 percent. When you have prediabetes, your body is not responding properly to insulin, a hormone produced in your pancreas that normally moves sugar from your diet out of your bloodstream and into your cells, where it is used for energy. Prediabetes can lead to diabetes and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. ^1,2

Prev Next Slide 1 of 8

Written by Susan McQuillan, MS, RDN, CDN

View Sources

References

CDC Website. Prediabetes. Updated July 25, 2017. Accessed April 23, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
NIH Website. The A1C Test & Diabetes. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/tests-diagnosis/a1c-test#3
Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al. Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. November 2016; 39(11): 2065-2079. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/39/11/2065
American Diabetes Association Position Paper. Lifestyle Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2018. Diabetes Care. January 2018; 41 (Suppl 1): S38-S50. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/41/Supplement_1/S38
American Diabetes Association website. http://www.diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/2016/2015-202-dietary-guidelines-to-promote-healthier-living.html
NIH Website. NIH study finds interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes give good return on investment. 2012. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-finds-interventions-prevent-type-2-diabetes-give-good-return-investment
MedlinePlus. Prediabetes. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000778.htm