What are the signs of prediabetes?

Plus, how to get a diagnosis.

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Today's Ingredients While researching this story, I was surprised to learn that as many as 80% of people with prediabetes don't know they have it. Since prediabetes doesn't generally cause any symptoms, it often goes undetected until it has progressed into type 2 diabetes. Catching prediabetes early gives you a much better chance of reversing the course of the disease. Below, Jessica Sandoz, a registered dietitian at Healthline, explains how to get a diagnosis and which risk factors to be aware of. And if you want to learn more about prediabetes after you're done with today's newsletter, sign up here for our 3-day miniseries Reversing Prediabetes.   • Food to live well: You might want to skip these foods when you're stuffed up   • News to know: Can you get bird flu from milk and eggs?   • Exercises to try: 12 essential stretches to do before every run Take care of yourself, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline   Written by Ginger Wojcik April 23, 2024 • 3.5 min read Let's Ask the Dietitian Q: What is prediabetes, and how do I know if I have it? A: Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet to the level that would be considered diabetes. There are a few different ways to be tested for prediabetes: A1c test: This test measures your average blood glucose over roughly the last 3 months. Fasting is not necessary for this test. The prediabetes levels of A1c are 5.7–6.4%. Normal levels are 5.6% or lower. Fasting blood glucose test: This test measures your blood glucose levels after you've fasted for 8 or more hours. The prediabetes levels for fasting glucose are 100–125 mg/dL. Normal levels are 99 or less. Oral glucose tolerance test: This test measures your blood glucose before and 2 hours after you consume a sweet drink, showing how quickly your body can process sugar. At 2 hours, a blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or lower is considered normal, 140–199 mg/dL indicates you have prediabetes, and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes. Talk with a healthcare professional about the right option for you. Typically, you must have two abnormal tests to get a diagnosis, but if you have other symptoms (excessive thirst and hunger, excessive urination, fatigue, weight loss, etc.), only one test may be needed. Get screened regularly if you have risk factors such as: a family history of type 2 diabetes a history of gestational diabetes obesity The most important thing to know is that prediabetes is reversible! Losing 5–7% of your body weight and getting 150 minutes of moderate activity per week can help decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Work with your healthcare team to develop a specific plan for you. Jessica Sandoz, Registered Dietitian Heads-up: We recently worked with our medical review team to create a whole newsletter series about prediabetes. You can sign up for it here! Kitchen Kit Fermentastic       Masontops Complete Mason Jar Fermentation Kit Whether you have prediabetes or not, loading your diet with fruits and vegetables is key to keeping your health in check. I bought this fermentation kit last year to add more diversity to my diet, and I was pleased to find that this kit has almost everything I needed to get the basics down — a vegetable tamper, weights, and fermentation lids. I did have to buy the jars separately, so keep that in mind! SHOP NOW Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health.       the takeout What we're digesting 🩸 How does eating affect your blood sugar? It's a little complicated — we'll explain. 🥩 Is plant-based meat really better for your heart? Meat alternatives may not be as healthy as proponents claim they are. ❌ Eating lots of seafood may expose you to these chemicals. But do these risks outweigh the health benefits? 🏃 This is how much exercise you need to boost your immune system. Hint: It isn't that much! Thanks for reading, everyone! Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads-up: We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!   This edition was powered by knowledge.

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