What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting type 2 diabetes. It means there’s a buildup of sugar in your blood, but it's not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes at this time. Typically, people with prediabetes do not have symptoms.
The good news is that you may be able to prevent or delay a diabetes diagnosis.
How can you care for yourself when you have prediabetes?
- Limit the number of calories, sweets, and unhealthy fat you eat.
- Lose weight if you need to. Even losing a small amount of weight can help.
- Try to exercise at least 2½ hours a week. Bit by bit, increase the amount you do every day.
- Quit smoking, if you are a smoker.
- Manage other health concerns, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Making small lifestyle changes, like being active and eating healthy, may help you get your blood sugar back to normal. You can work with your doctor to make a treatment plan.
You have prediabetes if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Your fasting blood sugar test results are between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL.
- Your OGTT result is between 140 to 199 mg/dL (2 hours after you start the test).
- Your A1C result is 5.7% to 6.4%.
Ask your doctor what steps you should take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes.