Prediabetes is when blood glucose (sugar) levels in your blood are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Insulin helps your body to change sugars and starches into energy. Your blood glucose levels increase when your body isn’t making enough insulin or insulin isn’t working as effectively as it has in the past.
Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United States has prediabetes. There are no symptoms of prediabetes. Many people find out they have prediabetes when they go to a health care professional and have their blood glucose tested.
In order to be eligible to participate in a Diabetes Prevention Program, you must be 18 years or older and meet the following criteria:
Must have both of the following:
- No previous diagnosis of diabetes
- Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 (or 23 if of Asian descent)
AND one of the following:
- History of gestational diabetes OR,
- Score of 5 or higher on the Risk Test OR,
- Blood glucose test
- A1C between 5.7 – 6.4
- Fasting glucose between 100-125
If you have prediabetes this does not mean that you WILL develop type 2 diabetes. YOU can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by losing weight, becoming more physically active, and reducing stress.
Take the test to determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it’s only a few questions: Risk Test.
