Prediabetes – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Average Blood Sugar Over Time (A1C Check)
The A1C test checks your blood sugar levels over the past two or three months. Doctors use this test to see how much sugar sticks to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells.
A1C Results Table
| A1C Percentage | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Below 5.7% | Normal |
| 5.7% – 6.4% | Signs of prediabetes |
| 6.5% or above | Diabetes (confirmed by repeat test) |
Certain health conditions, like pregnancy or rare blood disorders, can make this test less accurate. In those cases, your doctor may try other tests to get a clearer picture.
Blood Sugar Test After Fasting
For a fasting blood sugar test, you skip food for about eight hours or overnight. This way, the test measures your blood sugar without outside influences from food.
- Below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L): Usual blood sugar
- 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L): Points to prediabetes
- 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher (on two tests): Means diabetes
Doctors often use this simple test as a first step to check for prediabetes and diabetes. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of diabetes, or PCOS, you might get this test earlier.
Sugary Drink Challenge (Glucose Tolerance Test)
The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) checks how your body handles sugar over time. You’ll fast overnight, get a blood sample taken, and then drink a sweet liquid at the clinic.
After that, they take more blood samples over two hours to see how quickly your body lowers your sugar levels.
| Blood Glucose Level (2 hours after drink) | Status |
|---|---|
| Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) | Normal |
| 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8–11.0 mmol/L) | Prediabetes |
| 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher | Diabetes |
Doctors use this test a lot during pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes. Still, it can help anyone with risk factors or unclear results from other tests.
Checking Kids and Teens for Early Blood Sugar Problems
Kids can develop type 2 diabetes, especially if they’re overweight and have risk factors. Some of these risks include family members with diabetes, low birth weight, or a mother who had gestational diabetes.
Kids and adults share the same blood sugar ranges for normal, prediabetes, and diabetes. If a child has extra risk—like being overweight plus family history—doctors might start blood sugar tests early and repeat them each year.
If a child starts gaining weight or shows symptoms like being really thirsty, peeing more, blurry vision, or feeling tired, doctors usually run extra tests. Regular screening in these cases can catch problems before they get serious.
Common Risk Factors
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Gestational diabetes in the child’s mother
- Being overweight
- Ethnicity linked to higher diabetes risk
- PCOS in females
Doctors a recommend that most adults start regular screening by age 35. If you have risk factors, start sooner to catch prediabetes early.
Treatment
Making changes in your daily routine really matters when it comes to treating prediabetes and stopping it from turning into type 2 diabetes. Adjusting your habits helps control blood sugar and lowers risks tied to insulin resistance.
Healthy Diet Choices
Eating a balanced diet with fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil can help keep blood sugar in check. Focus on foods high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats and calories.
Here’s a quick table of what to eat and what to cut back on:
| Recommended Foods | Foods to Limit |
|---|---|
| Fresh fruits | Sugary snacks |
| Leafy green vegetables | White bread |
| Whole grains | Fried foods |
| Nuts and seeds | Processed meats |
| Olive oil | Sugary drinks |
Mixing up healthy foods keeps your meals interesting and nutritious.
Increasing Physical Activity
Regular exercise helps your body use insulin better and supports weight loss. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
Brisk walking, biking, and swimming all count. Short, frequent sessions work just as well as longer ones.
Achieving and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Losing just 5% to 7% of your body weight can really lower your risk of diabetes. So, if you weigh 200 pounds, try to lose about 14 pounds.
Long-term, realistic changes in eating and activity beat quick fixes every time.
Medication and Additional Steps
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor might suggest medicines like metformin, especially if your risk is higher. Quitting smoking and managing blood pressure and cholesterol also matter for prevention.
Managing Elevated Blood Sugar in Children
If a child has higher blood sugar, doctors usually start with lifestyle changes. Some key steps are:
- Eating more fiber, fewer refined carbs, and less fatty food
- Watching portion sizes
- Eating out less and cooking more at home
- Getting an hour of physical activity every day
- Aiming for slow, steady weight loss
Doctors rarely use medicine for kids, but metformin could be an option if lifestyle changes don’t help. Parents and caregivers have a huge impact on helping kids stick with these habits.
Alternative Medicine
Some people try non-traditional therapies to help manage blood sugar. A few examples are cassia cinnamon, flaxseed, ginseng, magnesium, oats, soy, and xanthan gum. Folks sometimes promote these as natural options for health.
Here’s a quick list of commonly used methods:
- Cassia cinnamon
- Flaxseed
- Ginseng
- Magnesium
- Oats
- Soy
- Xanthan gum
Talk to your doctor before starting any supplements or holistic treatments. Some alternative therapies can interact with prescription medications.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps to Take Before Seeing Your Healthcare Provider
Getting organized before your appointment helps you get the most out of your visit. Here’s a checklist to prepare:
- Check About Fasting: Some blood tests, like fasting blood sugar, require you to skip food and drink (except water) for at least eight hours. Ask your clinic if you need to fast.
- Write Down Symptoms: Note any symptoms you’ve noticed and when they started.
- Create a Medication List: List all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, including amounts.
- Note Important Health Details: Include other medical issues, major life changes, and stress factors.
-
Think of Questions: Prepare questions like:
- What steps can I take to stop prediabetes from progressing?
- Do I need medication, and what side effects could come with it?
- How should I manage my other health problems?
- How much exercise is advised for me?
- Are there specific foods I should avoid?
- Should I meet with a dietitian?
- Are there local programs for support?
Take your notes with you so you don’t forget anything during the visit.
What Your Health Professional Might Ask
Your doctor will probably ask about your daily habits and health history. Expect questions like:
- Any recent changes in your weight.
- Your exercise habits: type, frequency, and length.
- Family history of diabetes or related health problems.
- Details about your sleep patterns and quality.
- Any other changes in your health or major stressors.
Giving honest and detailed answers helps Healthnile offer the right advice and care plan for you.
