Frequently Asked Questions

Prediabetes means that your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes

Prediabetes usually occurs in people who already have some insulin resistance or whose beta cells in the pancreas aren’t making enough insulin to keep blood glucose in the normal range. Without enough insulin, extra glucose stays in your bloodstream rather than entering your cells. Over time, you could develop type 2 diabetes.

People who have metabolic syndrome—a combination of high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and large waist size—are more likely to have prediabetes.

You should be tested for prediabetes if you are overweight or have obesity and have one or more other risk factors for diabetes, or if your parents, siblings, or children have type 2 diabetes. Even if you don’t have risk factors, you should start getting tested once you reach age 45.

People with prediabetes have up to a 50 percent chance of developing diabetes over the next 5 to 10 years. You can take steps to manage your prediabetes and prevent type 2 diabetes

The following test results show Prediabetes:

• A1C—5.7 to 6.4 percent
• FPG—100 to 125 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)
• OGTT—140 to 199 mg/dL

The prediabetes symptoms of increased thirst, increased urination, especially at night, tiredness, blurry vision, sores or cuts that would not heal, dark, thick, and often velvety patches on the skin (elbows, knees, neck, armpits, and knuckles), and others. There are several blood tests used for prediabetes diagnosis. You should start getting tested once you reach age 45.