A forerunner to the onset of type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes levels of blood glucose are elevated yet not high enough to diagnose diabetes. Risk factors for developing pre-diabetes are obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure, high HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, are 45 years or older, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, or had gestational diabetes, suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome or sleep less than six or more than nine hours a night. There are no signs or symptoms of pre-diabetes, often with the first noticeable changes marking the onset of type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that individuals with the above risk factors get screened for pre-diabetes. Additionally, at risk individuals should be familiar with the first symptoms of type 2 diabetes: frequent urination, excess thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision. Evidence suggests that the high glucose levels of pre-diabetes are sufficient to cause organ damage and other complications related to type 2 diabetes. It is important to catch the disease early and take preventative measures against the onset of pre-diabetes and full-blown type 2 diabetes.
Pre-Diabetes Glucose Levels
Pre-diabetes is diagnosed using a series of blood tests to determine blood glucose levels. In order to measure current glucose levels your doctor may administer a fasting plasma glucose test (FPG). Patients must fast a minimum of eight hours for this test to be effective. Normal glucose levels are lower than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) with pre-diabetes levels between 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L). This state is also known as an impaired fasting glucose (IFG). FPG levels greater than 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) may be diagnosed as diabetes. Another test is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), also done after fasting. In this test a sugar solution is drunk and then blood sugar levels are measured two hours late. Pre diabetes blood sugar levels are considered anything between 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L), also known as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Levels of 200 mg/dL or higher may signify diabetes. If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes additional tests for cholesterol and triglycerides may be necessary. A microalbuminuria test for proteins in the urine may also be recommended if there is suspected damage to the kidneys.
Pre-Diabetes A1C Levels
In 2009 the American Diabetes Association (ADA) began recommending a glycated hemoglobin A1C test for the diagnosis of pre-diabetes. A1C tests measure average blood glucose levels over 120 days. For this reason test results are expressed as percentage of glycated hemoglobinin the blood. A level between 6 and 6.5% is considered pre-diabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed with two separate tests yielding a result of 6.5% or higher.
