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Prediabetes
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is when you have an increased level of glucose (sugar) in your blood, which is also a possible sign of metabolic syndrome. If you have prediabetes, your risk of developing diabetes increases. Your chance of developing heart disease and stroke goes up, too. The good news is that you can help control and possibly reverse prediabetes by making some basic lifestyle changes. Learn more about diabetes. Prediabetes affects 79 million people age 20 or older in the U.S., according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Many individuals with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. The condition is becoming more common in the United States according to estimates provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Depending on the test used to diagnose it, prediabetes is also called:
- Impaired fasting glucose (IFG): Glucose levels are a little high when it has been several hours after eating
- Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT): Glucose levels are a little higher than normal right after eating. Some individuals have both IFG and IGT.
Prediabetes Symptoms
Symptoms include excessive thirst and frequent urination. Learn more about prediabetes symptoms.
Diagnosing Prediabetes
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells turn glucose into energy. When your body's cells don't use insulin properly, you have insulin resistance. It can cause glucose to build up in the blood.
We measure glucose levels using a fasting glucose test or a glucose tolerance test. According to the American Diabetes Association, you have prediabetes if your:
- Fasting glucose result ranges from 100 to 125 mg/dL
- Your glucose tolerance result ranges from 140 to 199 mg/dL
- A1C level is 5.7 to 6.4 percent
Treating Prediabetes
After your blood test, your doctor will discuss treatment steps with you. The goals of treatment are to make lifestyle changes that will lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Learn more about prediabetes treatment.
Causes of Prediabetes
Learn about the different risk factors for diabetes. If you have any risk factors, talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower your risk. Read more about prediabetes causes.
Clinical Trials for Prediabetes
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.
Prediabetes
Our specialists provide expert treatment for patients with prediabetes, to help stop the progression to diabetes.
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