How to Get Tested for Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a warning sign, indicating that an individual is at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a potentially serious and life-threatening condition. Therefore, early identification of prediabetic blood glucose levels is critical for averting the onset of diabetes and attendant complications.
This article will explore in detail prediabetic blood sugar readings and what blood test shows prediabetes. But first, let’s understand what prediabetes is.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where an individual’s blood sugar levels are high but not sufficiently high to be diagnosed as diabetes. The primary causal factor is insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone generated by the pancreas which lets blood sugar into cells for use as energy. If an individual has prediabetes, the cells in their body don’t respond normally to insulin. Their pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually, their pancreas can’t keep up, and their blood sugar rises, resulting in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in the future.
Symptoms of Prediabetes
Prediabetes usually doesn’t show any signs, but when it progresses to type 2 diabetes, some common symptoms can appear:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Increased hunger
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Slow healing wounds
- Tingling or numbness in the feet or toes
Some other symptoms of prediabetes in females include changes in the menstrual cycle and frequent urinary tract infections.
Why are prediabetes tests done?
Prediabetes testing is vital to detect prediabetic glucose levels for several reasons.
First, identifying borderline sugar levels allows individuals to take early action, making it easier to manage and preventing progression to full-blown type 2 diabetes. Implementing exercise regimens and dietary improvements at the prediabetes stage can effectively lower prediabetes blood sugar levels and mitigate diabetes risk.
Second, over time, high prediabetic blood sugar can cause problems like heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and strokes. Catching it early prevents these complications.
Lastly, managing prediabetes blood glucose levels through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle improvements has health benefits beyond blood sugar control.
How to Test for Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is typically defined by specific blood glucose levels. The blood sugar numbers for prediabetes are measured through multiple blood tests for prediabetes. A healthcare provider may recommend any of these blood tests for prediabetic blood sugar readings.
1. HbA1C
The primary prediabetes blood test is the HbA1c test, a useful and simple blood test that evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over the past two to three months. It helps to know the prediabetes range after eating. It is used in diagnosing hba1c prediabetes levels and for monitoring blood glucose control in people with diabetes.
| Normal | Less than 5.7% |
| Prediabetes | Between 5.7% to 6.4% |
| Diabetes | >= 6.5% |
Thus, the prediabetic range hba1c is when the hba1c level is between 5.7% and 6.4%.
2. Fasting Glucose Test
The glucose fasting test measures the glucose level in the blood after an 8 to 12-hour overnight fast. It tells what the prediabetes range for fasting in a person is.
| Normal | 70 to 99 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes | 100 to 125 mg/dL |
| Diabetes | 126 mg/dL or higher on more than one testing occasion. |
3. Glucose Tolerance Test (Oral)
Another test to detect borderline glucose levels is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. It involves obtaining a fasting sample, followed by the patient consuming a 75 g glucose drink, and then a second sample is taken exactly two hours later.
| Result | Fasting Plasma Glucose | Post 75g Glucose load |
| Normal | 70-100 mg/dL | 70-140 mg/dL |
| Prediabetes | 101-125 mg/dL | 141-199 mg/dL |
| Diabetes | >126 mg/dL | >200 mg/dL |
FAQs
1. What is the fastest way to reverse prediabetes?
The fastest way to reverse prediabetes is through lifestyle changes. This involves practising prediabetes self-care like adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, losing weight if necessary, and managing stress.
2. How long does it take for prediabetes to go away?
With consistent lifestyle changes, some individuals may see improvements in weeks or a few months, while some may take years.
3. How long does it take for prediabetes to reverse?
How long it takes to reverse diabetes varies from person to person. For some, it might take a few weeks, while for others, it may take a few years. One can do it by eating healthy, losing weight, and exercising regularly.
