Pre-Diabetes is impaired glucose tolerance. This is a serious condition that can be treated. When your body is not completely able to control blood sugar levels you could have levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered Diabetic. This condition is known as Pre-Diabetes.
There are usually no symptoms exhibited. If not detected and managed this can cause long term damage to the heart and other systems in the body as well as progress to full blown type II diabetes. So, yes you should be concerned. If you are at risk for Pre-Diabetes you should be tested.
Some people are at higher risk for both diabetes and pre-diabetes. It is more common in African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Hispanic/Latinos. Also, if you are over 45 and overweight you are at risk. People who are younger than 45 can also be at risk if they are overweight, and have any of a number of other risk factors.
Those risk factors include high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, if they had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds, or have low HDL cholesterol and high triglyceride values. If you are at risk for pre-diabetes you should have your blood glucose checked with your annual examination.
There are two tests that can help determine how well your body deals with the glucose you give it. The first is a fasting glucose test. This test measures the glucose level in your blood after you have been fasting for a period of time, usually overnight. This can be done either with blood collected from a vein or with a blood drop from a finger stick.
The second type of test is a glucose tolerance test. With this test the level is tested after you have gone overnight without eating or drinking. Then you are given a drink high in glucose to drink. 2 hours after you drink this liquid your glucose level will be tested again. Your doctor will review the results to determine if you are pre-diabetic.
If test results do show that you are pre-diabetic there are measures you can take to help reduce the risk of the condition from progressing to diabetes. Weight loss and an increase in exercise can help the body better respond to the insulin it produces. Also, changing your diet will help decrease the risk.
Many people who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes can reduce their risk of progression and at times even reverse the condition simply by lifestyle changes. You will need to discuss these changes with your doctor, do not embark on any exercise program without medical supervision or approval from your doctor
