Pre-Diabetes

According to research, there are approximately 54 million people in the U.S. with pre-diabetes!

Before developing Type 2 diabetes, people almost always have what is called "pre-diabetes".

This term simply means that the blood glucose levels are much higher than normal, but the levels are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It also means you may be likely to develop diabetes, and may already be experiencing some of the health effects.

Diabetic symptoms can develop gradually with time, so often they are not recognized. And unfortunately some people don't have any symptoms at all. The typical symptoms include always being thirsty, a frequent desire to urinate, blurred vision, along with being tired most of the time.

Also if you are overweight and 45 years of age or older, you should get tested on your next doctors visit.

In addition, risk groups include those with high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes - women who have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, or those belonging to an ethnic or minority group at high risk for diabetes (Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders).

Studies have shown that without diagnosis, pre-diabetics have a good chance of having long term damage to the heart and circulatory system. And research has also shown that taking action to manage pre-diabetes blood glucose levels can delay or may even prevent Type 2 diabetes from ever developing.

If you have been determined as having pre-diabetes, you should be checked for Type 2 diabetes every 1-2 years after your diagnosis.

For more detailed information, visit the FAQ on Pre-diabetes at the American Diabetes Website.