Prediabetes

How is prediabetes diagnosed?

Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes [1][2]. Diagnosis uses blood tests: an A1C between 5.7% and 6.4%, a fasting plasma glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dL, or an oral glucose tolerance test between 140 and 199 mg/dL [1]. People with insulin resistance and prediabetes usually have no symptoms [1][2]. If tests show prediabetes, NIDDK says people should be tested for type 2 diabetes every year [1].

Can prediabetes be prevented from becoming type 2 diabetes?

People with prediabetes have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years, though not everyone with prediabetes develops it [1]. In the Diabetes Prevention Program, people at high risk for type 2 diabetes could prevent or delay the disease with lifestyle changes involving weight loss through dietary changes and increased physical activity, and metformin also helped prevent the disease, to a lesser degree [1]. Follow-up research has shown people can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes for at least 15 years with lifestyle changes or metformin [1].