Despite what many think, diabetes doesn't just show up without previous warning signs appearing. Full blown Diabetes can take up to ten years to manifest itself. While you may not qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes, you aren't operating in normal state either. You have what's know as prediabetes.
The good news here is that people with prediabetes normally don't have any type of eye disease, kidney disease or any type of nerve damage that you could end up with full blown diabetes. Don't think you are off the hook if you "only" have prediabetes because you are not. You are far more likely to have heart disease and brain issues than someone else that has completely normal blood glucose levels.
Before you start thinking that this is some type of unknown disease, know that well over 50 million people in the United States have prediabetes. But most have no clue that they in fact have it.
So, how do you know if you should be tested for prediabetes? Well, as a general rule, you should be tested once you reach 45. You should also be tested if you are under 45 and are overweight and have one or more of these risk factors:
1. You belong to a to a higher risk ethnic group such as African American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American.
2. If you have high blood pressure, or it runs in your family.
3. If you have low HDL or what is referred to as "good" cholesterol.
4. If you have high triglycerides
5. If there is a family history of diabetes
6. If you have diabetes during pregnancy or if your newborn baby weighed more than 9 pounds
A study conducted by Diabetes Care back in 2007 indicated that folks who are overweight or obese over age 45 should be tested for prediabetes without delay as it can be extremely cost effective to do so - especially if they begin an immediate lifestyle change and begin taking any prescribed medication.
The test for prediabetes is a simple blood test. The test will determine what your blood glucose level, which is simply the amount of sugar in your blood. Prediabetes is diagnosed when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not so high that it meets the standard for regular diabetes. If it is found that a random capillary blood glucose level is hither than 100md/dl, a second test is conducted, referred to as a fasting glucose (or oral) tolerance test.
So, what are the blood glucose levels that indicate you either have or don't have prediabetes?
Here are some good guidelines:
Blood Glucose Level Before Eating - Normal = Less than 100 mg/dl
Blood Glucose Level 1 Hr. after eating - Normal = Less than 140 mg/dl
Blood Glucose Level Before Eating - Prediabetes = 100-125 mg/dl
Blood Glucose Level 1 Hr. after eating - Prediabetes = 140-199 mg/dl
Some look at a prediabetes diagnosis as bad news. Quite the contrary, actually. It could be the best thing that has ever happened to you as it can provide the wake up call that you need to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle. Changes such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis. Both of these are areas that can prevent the onset of diabetes in folks that have prediabetes. Why not make the changes necessary now instead of ending up with diabetes later on? If you are one of those who doesn't respond to lifestyle changes, medication may be able to do the same thing for you.
If you don't find yourself motivated enough to fend off diabetes - and you will more than likely become a diabetic if you don't make changes - perhaps the fact that you will save upwards of $10,000 in future costs associated with the treatment of diabetes. Your call. You can sit and do nothing, or take the bull by the horns and be one of the 20% of folks who have prediabetes that successfully fend of diabetes itself.
The good news here is that people with prediabetes normally don't have any type of eye disease, kidney disease or any type of nerve damage that you could end up with full blown diabetes. Don't think you are off the hook if you "only" have prediabetes because you are not. You are far more likely to have heart disease and brain issues than someone else that has completely normal blood glucose levels.
Before you start thinking that this is some type of unknown disease, know that well over 50 million people in the United States have prediabetes. But most have no clue that they in fact have it.
So, how do you know if you should be tested for prediabetes? Well, as a general rule, you should be tested once you reach 45. You should also be tested if you are under 45 and are overweight and have one or more of these risk factors:
1. You belong to a to a higher risk ethnic group such as African American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American.
2. If you have high blood pressure, or it runs in your family.
3. If you have low HDL or what is referred to as "good" cholesterol.
4. If you have high triglycerides
5. If there is a family history of diabetes
6. If you have diabetes during pregnancy or if your newborn baby weighed more than 9 pounds
A study conducted by Diabetes Care back in 2007 indicated that folks who are overweight or obese over age 45 should be tested for prediabetes without delay as it can be extremely cost effective to do so - especially if they begin an immediate lifestyle change and begin taking any prescribed medication.
The test for prediabetes is a simple blood test. The test will determine what your blood glucose level, which is simply the amount of sugar in your blood. Prediabetes is diagnosed when your blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not so high that it meets the standard for regular diabetes. If it is found that a random capillary blood glucose level is hither than 100md/dl, a second test is conducted, referred to as a fasting glucose (or oral) tolerance test.
So, what are the blood glucose levels that indicate you either have or don't have prediabetes?
Here are some good guidelines:
Blood Glucose Level Before Eating - Normal = Less than 100 mg/dl
Blood Glucose Level 1 Hr. after eating - Normal = Less than 140 mg/dl
Blood Glucose Level Before Eating - Prediabetes = 100-125 mg/dl
Blood Glucose Level 1 Hr. after eating - Prediabetes = 140-199 mg/dl
Some look at a prediabetes diagnosis as bad news. Quite the contrary, actually. It could be the best thing that has ever happened to you as it can provide the wake up call that you need to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle. Changes such as eating healthier and exercising on a regular basis. Both of these are areas that can prevent the onset of diabetes in folks that have prediabetes. Why not make the changes necessary now instead of ending up with diabetes later on? If you are one of those who doesn't respond to lifestyle changes, medication may be able to do the same thing for you.
If you don't find yourself motivated enough to fend off diabetes - and you will more than likely become a diabetic if you don't make changes - perhaps the fact that you will save upwards of $10,000 in future costs associated with the treatment of diabetes. Your call. You can sit and do nothing, or take the bull by the horns and be one of the 20% of folks who have prediabetes that successfully fend of diabetes itself.
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