Prediabetes?  What is this?

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. This stage is a warning sign that you’re at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Typically, prediabetes does not present noticeable symptoms, making it crucial to monitor blood glucose levels through regular health check-ups.

Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage and reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes

Shocking Statistic: 1 in every 2 people have prediabetes in the UK.  

Risk factors

• Obesity
• A first-degree relative with diabetes
• Ethnicity: South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean and black African.
• Increasing age
• The area where someone lives – lower-income groups

Presentation

• Patients with raised blood sugars also known as “impaired glucose tolerance” usually have no symptoms
• This rise in blood sugars can be after fasting and after eating
• The risk for cardiovascular disease may be present even with a small rise in blood sugars. These risks include hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol, etc.), and macrovascular diseases such as stroke, coronary disease, or peripheral vascular disease

Testing for prediabetes

This is either having a fasting plasma glucose test or an HbA1c test, both are used to diagnose type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

The following results indicate the presence of prediabetes:

• Fasting plasma glucose: 6.0 mmol/L to 6.9 mmol/L
• HbA1c: 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%)

If your results are above the upper limits for prediabetes, your GP may either diagnose you with type 2 diabetes or take another test to confirm whether you have diabetes.

If you have symptoms of diabetes but have an HbA1c of below 42 mmol/mol (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.

Can I stop prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes?

YES!!!  The good news is that cases of prediabetes that are identified early on can be reversed, preventing them from progressing into full-blown type 2 diabetes. Each year in the UK, 5% to 10% of people diagnosed with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

The two principal factors for consideration are:

• Making changes to your diet and
• Appropriate physical exercise to your lifestyle

By making these changes, blood sugar levels can be returned to normal.

At 121 Dietitian we help people daily by improving their blood sugar control improving their health and well-being. If you have been diagnosed by your GP with prediabetes then please do not hesitate to book a program to reverse your chances of going on to developing type 2 diabetes.

If you do have a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and need advice with your diet and health we would be delighted to assist you also.

Our Diabetes programme is recommended for both stages, so do please click on the link or on the button below to book NOW.