How Do I Know If I Have Pre-Diabetes?
In order to know whether you have pre-diabetes or not, it is helpful to understand exactly what it means.
The term pre-diabetes is used to describe the state between normal blood sugar and type 2 diabetes.
At one time, physicians used to refer to the condition as "having a touch of sugar," or "borderline diabetes".
Fortunately, these terms are no longer used! Somehow having a touch of sugar does not convey the urgency or importance of taking steps to correct a potentially serious health issue.
A person with pre-diabetes may go on to develop type 2 diabetes.
If the right steps are taken early, you may be able to reverse the condition and never develop diabetes at all.
The easiest way to find out if you have pre-diabetes is to get your blood sugar checked.
For this test, you will have to fast overnight and have your blood drawn at the lab.
A fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125 mg/dl is indicative of the condition.
For the record, normal fasting levels are between 70 and 99 mg/dl, and a fasting blood sugar greater than 125 mg/dl is indicative of diabetes.
If you have gotten a reading in this range (100-125 mg/dl), you should have the fasting blood sugar test repeated a second time to see if the result is still the same.
You can be sure you have the condition if the results are similar after the second test.
Pre-diabetes may or may not have symptoms that accompany higher than normal blood sugar.
Don't assume that a lack of symptoms means that everything is fine.
I have interviewed hundreds of people with the diagnosis and learned that many people had absolutely no idea that they had pre-diabetes.
They may feel just fine or perhaps notice that they are a little more tired than usual.
Often the person having a routine medical checkup learns quite by accident that their blood sugar is in the pre-diabetes range.
The person who feels a little more tired than usual may not make the connection between the fatigue and the condition.
Here are some red flags that may or may not occur but you should see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms: * increased thirst * increase urination, particularly at night * fatigue that does not improve, even with more sleep * blurred vision that is not permanent The most important thing to know about pre-diabetes is that you cannot ignore it.
If diagnosed, don't believe that it will get better on its own or go away.
Blood sugar levels that remain in the pre-diabetic range can cause complications that are usually associated with diabetes.
Take positive steps to reverse the condition sooner rather than later.
Learn how to get started with a healthy lifestyle plan that includes proper diet and exercise.
© 2012 Gretchen Scalpi.
All rights reserved.
You are free to reprint/republish this article as long as the article and byline are kept intact and all links are made live.
The term pre-diabetes is used to describe the state between normal blood sugar and type 2 diabetes.
At one time, physicians used to refer to the condition as "having a touch of sugar," or "borderline diabetes".
Fortunately, these terms are no longer used! Somehow having a touch of sugar does not convey the urgency or importance of taking steps to correct a potentially serious health issue.
A person with pre-diabetes may go on to develop type 2 diabetes.
If the right steps are taken early, you may be able to reverse the condition and never develop diabetes at all.
The easiest way to find out if you have pre-diabetes is to get your blood sugar checked.
For this test, you will have to fast overnight and have your blood drawn at the lab.
A fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125 mg/dl is indicative of the condition.
For the record, normal fasting levels are between 70 and 99 mg/dl, and a fasting blood sugar greater than 125 mg/dl is indicative of diabetes.
If you have gotten a reading in this range (100-125 mg/dl), you should have the fasting blood sugar test repeated a second time to see if the result is still the same.
You can be sure you have the condition if the results are similar after the second test.
Pre-diabetes may or may not have symptoms that accompany higher than normal blood sugar.
Don't assume that a lack of symptoms means that everything is fine.
I have interviewed hundreds of people with the diagnosis and learned that many people had absolutely no idea that they had pre-diabetes.
They may feel just fine or perhaps notice that they are a little more tired than usual.
Often the person having a routine medical checkup learns quite by accident that their blood sugar is in the pre-diabetes range.
The person who feels a little more tired than usual may not make the connection between the fatigue and the condition.
Here are some red flags that may or may not occur but you should see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms: * increased thirst * increase urination, particularly at night * fatigue that does not improve, even with more sleep * blurred vision that is not permanent The most important thing to know about pre-diabetes is that you cannot ignore it.
If diagnosed, don't believe that it will get better on its own or go away.
Blood sugar levels that remain in the pre-diabetic range can cause complications that are usually associated with diabetes.
Take positive steps to reverse the condition sooner rather than later.
Learn how to get started with a healthy lifestyle plan that includes proper diet and exercise.
© 2012 Gretchen Scalpi.
All rights reserved.
You are free to reprint/republish this article as long as the article and byline are kept intact and all links are made live.
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