Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA
Are you aware of how common diabetes is in the United States? In 2021, the CDC estimated that 38.4 million Americans, or 11.6% of the total population, had diabetes. The majority of those cases were type 2 diabetes. However, a far more concerning statistic is the prevalence of a condition known as prediabetes. The CDC estimated 97.6 million Americans had prediabetes, a shocking 33.9% of the total population! Not only that, but upwards of 80% of those people were unaware of their condition.
As a country, the United States has been trending in the wrong direction for a number of health-related statistics. For many, this is a reversible condition! Here, PatientsLikeMe will explain everything you need to know about prediabetes.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a health condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet at the threshold for type 2 diabetes. This happens when the body’s cells start becoming resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose from the food we eat enter our cells to be used for energy. When insulin doesn’t work properly, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Why is Early Identification Important?
With the early identification of prediabetes, you can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Without timely intervention, people with prediabetes are at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes within five years. Additionally, high blood sugar levels, even at the prediabetes stage, can cause long-term damage to the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
Risk Factors
One of the challenges with prediabetes is that it often has no clear symptoms. However, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing prediabetes.
- Being overweight
- Age 45 or older
- Having a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Lack of physical activity
- Having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Diagnosis
If you have any of those related risk factors, what steps can you take to find out if you have prediabetes? Fortunately, it can be diagnosed through a few simple blood tests!
- A1C Test: This test measures average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. An A1C level between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes.
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test: This measures blood sugar after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL could mean prediabetes.
- Glucose Tolerance Test: Here doctors look at blood sugar before and after drinking a glucose liquid. A blood sugar level between 140 and 199 mg/dL after two hours indicates prediabetes.
Tips for Managing Prediabetes
The good news is that with proper management, prediabetes can often be reversed. The first step is eating healthily. Adopt a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive salt. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Activities like walking, cycling, or swimming can be very effective. Losing even a small amount of weight (5-7% of your body weight) can significantly improve blood sugar levels. Regularly check your blood sugar levels to ensure they are within the recommended range.
Prediabetes and Type 1 Diabetes
While prediabetes is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes, there’s also a lesser-known connection to type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This condition typically shows up in children and young adults but can happen at any age. Experts believe that some people with type 2 diabetes might actually have a form of type 1 diabetes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
LADA is a form of type 1 diabetes that occurs in adulthood. It often presents like type 2 diabetes, leading to misdiagnosis. However, people with LADA have antibodies against insulin-producing cells. Sometimes called diabetes 1.5, LADA shares features with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These patients may initially manage their condition with lifestyle changes and oral medications but will eventually require insulin therapy.
Early Screening for Type 1 Diabetes
Early screening for type 1 diabetes, especially in people with a family history or other risk factors, can help identify those at risk before they develop symptoms. This allows for closer monitoring and early intervention, potentially delaying the onset of the disease.
Prediabetes is a silent but significant health condition that affects millions of Americans. Early identification and management are crucial in preventing the progression to type 2 diabetes. By making healthy lifestyle choices and working closely with healthcare providers, people with prediabetes can take control of their health and reduce their risk of the condition developing further.
Nearly 1 million people have joined PatientsLikeMe. You can track your health, monitor the efficacy of treatment, and talk to people experiencing the same thing as you. Creating an account is free! Join today.