“Pre- diabetes” is a term used when your blood sugars have been confirmed as being above normal levels but below the levels at which we diagnose diabetes therefore NOT high enough to be classed as diabetes. This is determined by taking several blood tests which are described below. Therefore it is a condition where sugar levels in the blood are higher than normal.
IMPAIRED FASTING GLUCOSE (IFG)
If you have been told you have impaired fasting glucose it means that your blood sugars are above normal levels when you wake in the morning before you have eaten (fasting). Normal fasting blood sugars are below 6.1mmols/l.
If you have impaired fasting glucose (pre-diabetes) your levels are between 6.1-6.9 mmols/l (If your blood sugars are equal to or above 7.00 mmols/l this is diabetes although this test generally need to be repeated before the confirmation of diabetes.)
WHAT IS A GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (GTT)?
A GTT involves drinking a sugary drink (Lucozade) after fasting from midnight the night before and then having your blood sugar levels measured to see how well your body is dealing with the sugar intake. Before you drink the lucozade drink we will take blood samples from you to check your blood sugar levels, how well your kidneys are working, your insulin levels and the level of fats in your blood (cholesterol). We will also do a finger prick blood test which measures the amount of sugar in your blood. Once you have had the lucozade drink we will take a second blood sample from your arm after 2 hours.
IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE (IGT) You may have been told that you have impaired glucose tolerance. This means that when you have been given a glucose load (usually a sugary drink) and had your blood sugar level taken both before and two hours after the drink your sugar level has been equal to or above 7.8 but below 11.0 at the two hour test. It means that when you consume a sugary load your body is unable to processes it quickly enough and your blood sugar is still above normal two hours later. This also can be described as ‘pre-diabetes’.
PRE-DIABETES
Pre-diabetes occurs when the body either doesn’t use insulin efficiently (insulin resistance) or doesn’t produce enough insulin. Within the next 10 years many people with pre diabetes will go on to develop diabetes, some will stay as having pre-diabetes some people will return to having normal glucose levels. Those who have stayed the same or returned to normal have done so through making lifestyle changes. You can dramatically reduce your chances of developing diabetes by simple lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, eating a lower fat diet and becoming more active. In the future there may be the possibility of treating pre-diabetes with tablets for diabetes, however this is still being researched.
It’s a great thing that you have found out that you have pre-diabetes because by making small changes to your lifestyle and being aware of pre diabetes, complications can be avoided. Early diagnosis is a good thing and gives you the chance to reduce your chances of developing diabetes. You don’t have to make huge changes to make a difference; you can make small changes that fit into your current lifestyle. Click on the link below for how you can make
