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Prediabetes

at Concierge Endocrinology of New Jersey

Request Appointment Call (609) 250-2766

Overview

Prediabetes is a health condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The glucose in your blood, which comes from the food you eat, can damage your body over time if levels are too high.

Having prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, by making lifestyle changes, it is possible to delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

About 1 out of every 3 adults has prediabetes. Most people with prediabetes don't know they have it because there are usually no clear symptoms. A prediabetes diagnosis should be seen as a critical opportunity to make positive health changes.

Signs & Symptoms

Most people with prediabetes have no symptoms
Darkened skin in the armpit or on the back and sides of the neck (acanthosis nigricans)
Small skin growths (skin tags) in the armpit or neck area

Causes & Risk Factors

Insulin resistance — the body can't use its insulin properly
The body not making enough insulin
Being overweight or obese
Being 45 or older
Family history of diabetes
Being physically inactive
Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol
History of gestational diabetes
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Certain ethnicities (African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander)

Diagnosis

Prediabetes is diagnosed through blood tests. The most common are the Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) test and the A1C test.

The FPG test measures your blood sugar after fasting for at least 8 hours. A normal level is 99 mg/dL or below, prediabetes is 100 to 125 mg/dL, and type 2 diabetes is 126 mg/dL and above.

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past 3 months. A normal level is below 5.7%, prediabetes is between 5.7% to 6.4%, and type 2 diabetes is 6.5% or above.

An oral glucose tolerance test may also be used, where a blood glucose level of 140 to 199 mg/dL 2 hours after consuming 75 grams of glucose indicates impaired glucose tolerance.

Treatment Options

Losing weight if you are overweight — even 5-7% of body weight can make a significant difference
Getting regular physical activity — aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 days a week
Following a healthy, reduced-calorie eating plan with whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables
Controlling portion sizes and avoiding sweets and fried foods
In some cases, medications such as metformin may be prescribed to lower the risk of developing diabetes
Regular monitoring and follow-up with your endocrinologist

Important Facts

About 1 out of every 3 adults has prediabetes — most don't know they have it.

If your blood test results show prediabetes, your provider may suggest retesting once each year.

Losing even a small amount of weight (around 7% of body weight) can significantly reduce your risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Consider getting tested if you are age 35 or older, or younger with risk factors like being overweight.

Medical information adapted from MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Always consult with your physician for personalized medical advice.

Expert Prediabetes Care

Schedule a consultation with our board-certified endocrinologists.

Request Appointment Call (609) 250-2766