Prediabetes


What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes, also commonly referred to as borderline diabetes, is a metabolic condition and growing global problem that is closely tied to obesity.
Prediabetes is characterised by the presence of blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classed as diabetes.
If undiagnosed or untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes; which whilst treatable is currently not fully reversible.
For this reason, prediabetes is often described as the “gray area” between normal blood sugar and diabetic levels. In the UK, around 7 million people are estimated to have prediabetes and thus have a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. 

  • Pre-diabetes, if it goes undiagnosed, can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. These are the most common questions asked about pre-diabetes.

 Am I Prediabetes 

Either a fasting plasma glucose test or an HbA1c test may be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
  • Fasting plasma glucose: 5.5 mmol/L to 6.9 mmol/L
  • HbA1c: 6.0 to 6.4%
The following results indicate the presence of prediabetes:
If your results are above the upper limits for prediabetes, your GP may either diagnose you with type 2 diabetes or take another test in the near future to confirm whether you have diabetes. If you have symptoms of diabetes but have an HbA1c  6.0% you may be given an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, your doctor should clearly set out the steps you need to take to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

What makes me prone to  prediabetes?

One  should be tested for prediabetes if heor She is
  •  overweight or obese
  • is a close relative (parent or sibling) who currently has or has had diabetes
  • Has high blood pressure, low HDL ('good' cholesterol) or high triglycerides
  • Is over the age of 40
  • Has given birth to a baby who weighed over 9 pounds
  • Had gestational Diabetes 
While pre-diabetes may affect anyone, of any age, gender or racial type, some groups are genetically more prone. These include:

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