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Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. To determine blood glucose levels, doctors perform a fasting plasma glucose test or a oral glucose tolerance test to check the amount of the glucose, a sugar produced by carbohydrate that is the body’s main source of energy, in the blood after an 8- to 10-hour fast.

A normal fasting blood glucose level is 100 mg/dL. When people have a blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL, they have prediabetes. People have diabetes when their blood glucose levels are 126 mg/dL or higher, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).  

Prediabetes is also known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. The ADA notes that the condition is now usually called prediabetes to help make people aware of the risks associated with elevated blood glucose levels. 

Those with prediabetes have 5 to 15 times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as a person with normal blood glucose levels. Like diabetes, prediabetes can cause serious long-term damage to your health. Research shows that it is particularly harmful to the heart and circulatory system and also raises the risk of stroke, eye disease, and kidney disease.  

People with prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing diabetes and its serous complications with relatively modest changes in their lifestyle, including getting regular, modest exercise, eating a healthful diet, and losing weight.  The Diabetes Prevention Program, a government study of 3000 people with prediabetes, found that those who exercised about 30 minutes a day and lost just 5% to 10 % of their body weight lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. In its “Small Steps, Big Rewards” campaign the ADA recommends that people with prediabetes build up to 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week and eat a nutritious, low calorie, low fat diet.  

Being overweight puts you at risk for prediabetes and diabetes, as do a number of other factors. The ADA recommends a yearly fasting blood glucose test for people with the following risk factors:

Ø       Being overweight. If you are 20% or more above your optimal body weight, you increase your risk of developing diabetes.

Ø       Family history. If your parent, brother, or sister has diabetes, your risk of developing diabetes increases.

 Ø       Race or ethnic background. The risk of diabetes is greater in Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asians.

Ø       High blood pressure increases your risk of developing diabetes.

Ø       Abnormal cholesterol levels. Having HDL cholesterol levels lower than 45 mg/dL for men and 55 mg/dL for women or a triglyceride level higher than 150 mg/dL increases your risk.

Ø       Age. Your risk of developing diabetes increases as you age.

Ø       Alcohol Use. Heavy alcohol use increases your risk of developing diabetes.

Ø       Smoking. According to one study, smoking from 16 to 25 cigarettes a day increases your risk for type 2 diabetes to three times that of a nonsmoker.

Ø   History of gestational diabetes (developing diabetes during pregnancy) or of delivering a baby over 9 pounds can increase your risk.