Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeEditor PicksWhat Is Prediabetes Blood Sugar Level

What Is Prediabetes Blood Sugar Level


The Standard Possible Results

Prediabetes Blood Sugar Levels
  • Prediabetes: FPG 100 mg/dl, but < 126 mg/dl
  • Diabetes: FPG 126 mg/dl

You also need to be fasting for an OGTT, and you will need to set aside extra time. You should also check with your lab to see if you need an appointment. In an OGTT, you drink a solution with 75 grams of sugar for context, that is the amount in 2 cans of soda. Your blood will be drawn two hours later to assess prediabetes.

Levels In The Morning

The best time to check blood sugar levels in the morning is right when you wake up and before you eat anything. This gives you a glimpse of what may be happening overnight, and it gives you a baseline for the day.

These are goal levels, according to The Joslin Diabetes Center:

  • Under 70 mg/dl if you do not have diabetes.
  • 70 to 130 mg/dl if you have diabetes.

The dawn effect can often lead to a high morning measurement in diabetes. This is your bodys tendency to get ready for the day by raising blood sugar by increasing levels of counter-regulatory hormones the ones that counteract insulin as in normal blood sugar. For people with diabetes, you do not have the capacity to counterbalance this rise in blood sugar, so levels can be dangerously high.


Ways to lower your morning blood sugar value include:

Blood Sugar And A1c Levels In Prediabetes

When talking about blood glucose levels in prediabetes and diabetes, you might also hear about A1C. The glycated hemoglobin test, or A1C, is another test that your doctor could order to determine if you have prediabetes or diabetes.

The FBG and OGTT measure blood sugar at the single moment in time when your blood sample is taken. In contrast, A1C helps evaluate your average blood sugar control over the past three months.

The A1C is slightly less common and more expensive than FPG, but not by much. You do not need to fast for the A1C, and it takes only a single blood draw, like the FPG. Here are the A1C values for normal, prediabetes, and diabetes:

Normal

Don’t Miss: Can You Get Diabetes If You Re Skinny


What Are Regular Blood Glucose Degrees

Theyre less compared to 100 mg/dL after not consuming for at the very least 8 hours. And also theyre less compared to 140 mg/dL 2 hrs after consuming.

Throughout the day, levels have the tendency to be at their most affordable right before dishes. For lots of people without diabetes, blood glucose degrees before meals float around 70 to 80 mg/dL. For some people, 60 is typical for others, 90.

Whats a reduced sugar degree? It varies widely, also. Several individualss glucose wont ever drop below 60, also with long term fasting. When you diet or quickly, the liver keeps your levels typical by transforming fat and also muscle into sugar. A few individualss levels could fall somewhat reduced.Pre Diabetes Glucose Levels Chart

What Are Examples Of Good Food Choices For A Prediabetes Diet

Prediabetes  Is your blood sugar on the brink?  Pat King

Choosing quality fats and proteins means choosing real food rather than processed versions. Believe it or not, a serving of organic full-fat Greek yogurt with real raspberries will be much more satisfying, and better for your blood sugar and weight, than the fat-free fruity version.

Good protein choices include:


  • Dark meat from pastured poultry

Check labels because hydrogenated fats are often are used in packaged bakery products.

Read Also: Can Diabetics Eat Macaroni And Cheese

When To Call A Doctor

When you have prediabetes, it’s important to watch for symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Call your doctor if you notice that you are:

  • Feeling very thirsty a lot of the time.
  • Urinating more often than usual.
  • Feeling very hungry a lot of the time.
  • Having blurred vision.

You may want to talk to your doctor about testing for prediabetes if you are:

  • Overweight and get little or no exercise.
  • Interested in reducing your risk for getting type 2 diabetes.

Children And Prediabetes Testing

Doctors diagnose prediabetes based on the same blood sugar levels, no matter the personâs age. The American Diabetes Association says children 10 and older should be tested if theyâre overweight or obese and have:


  • A family member with type 2 diabetes
  • A mother who had gestational diabetes while pregnant with the child
  • Native American, African American, Hispanic, Asian American, or Pacific Islander heritage
  • Signs of insulin resistance or conditions linked to it, such as a low birth weight, high blood pressure, or polycystic ovary syndrome

If a child who has a high chance of getting prediabetes has normal test results, the American Diabetes Association advises testing them again at least every 3 years.

Recommended Reading: Average Metformin Dosage

Prediabetes And Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels

When a patient is diagnosed with borderline diabetes or prediabetes, it means that his or her sugar levels are higher than the normal, recommended range, but not so high that it can be identified as diabetes. It is estimated that more than 55 million people in the United States have prediabetes symptoms. Medical experts are of the opinion that health conditions caused as a result of hyperglycemia are already present, when an individual is in borderline diabetes. For your understanding, blood glucose levels for prediabetes and diabetes are explained below:

Can I Stop Prediabetes Developing Into Type 2 Diabetes

What is Prediabetes?

The good news is that cases of prediabetes that are identified early on can be reversed, preventing them from progressing into full-blown type 2 diabetes. Each year in the UK, 5% to 10% of people diagnosed with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

The two principle factors for consideration are:


In fact, the recently completed Diabetes Prevention Program study conclusively showed that people with borderline diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making dietary changes and increasing their level of physical activity.

For a comprehensive and individual plan, speak to your doctor.

You May Like: Side Effect To Metformin

What Are Common Complications From Living With Diabetes

Cardiovascular Disease

  • Over time, diabetes can damage arteries, which may result in high blood pressure.
  • If not controlled, this can lead to stroke, heart failure or heart attack.
  • People with diabetes need to keep their blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

Kidney Disease

  • Kidney damage can develop in some people with diabetes.
  • If left untreated, this can lead to more severe kidney damage or kidney failure.
  • If you have diabetes, you should have your kidney function tested regularly.

Did You Know?

A healthcare provider can help with monitoring blood glucose levels, as well as ensuring that necessary preventive care treatments and advice are received in a timely manner.


Vision Loss

  • Diabetic eye disease can lead to loss of vision and blindness.
  • Regular eye exams can help find problems that can be treated if found early.

Lower Limb Amputation

  • Over time, diabetes can damage sensory nerves, especially in the hands and feet.
  • As a result, people with diabetes may not feel a foot injury, such as a blister or cut. Even a small injury, if left untreated, can quickly become infected. This can lead to serious complications such as amputation.
  • People with diabetes should regularly check their feet and skin for ulcers and wounds .

Other Complications

People with diabetes are likely to develop other conditions such as dental disease and mental illness .

Different Levels And What They Mean

The ranges of safe levels of blood glucose depend on factors such as what time of day it is and when you last ate. Safe levels of blood sugar are high enough to supply your organs with the sugar they need, but low enough to prevent symptoms of hyperglycemia or complications of diabetes which follow the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases guides. Dangerous levels of blood glucose are outside of this range.

The target levels can also vary if you have diabetes. For example, if you are diabetic and are monitoring your blood sugar, you might get a reading of 65 mg/dl. That is considered to be mild hypoglycemia, and you would be wise to eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates and retest your blood sugar in 15 minutes.

If you were not diabetic, you probably would not know that your sugar was low because you would not test and because you would not symptoms, and you would not act.

That is fine because your body is capable, under normal circumstances, of raising your blood glucose to healthy levels when needed, even if you have not eaten. It is important to keep them in control to help prevent issues like heart disease or nerve damage.


Looking for the best prediabetes diet? Learn what foods are best to help you manage your prediabetes.

You May Like: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

Can Prediabetes Be Prevented Or Avoided

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can be delayed and even prevented. Usually this is done by losing weight if you are overweight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. The longer you have prediabetes or diabetes, the more health problems you may experience. So even just delaying the onset of the disease can help your health.

Exactly How Blood Glucose Influences Your Body

Pre Diabetic Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

When you have diabetics issues, your blood sugar degrees could be consistently high. With time, this can damage your body and also bring about many various other troubles.

Just how much sugar in the blood is also much? And why is high glucose so bad for you? Right heres a consider just how your levels impact your health.


Don’t Miss: What Is A High Blood Sugar Reading

Can You Prevent Pre

Pre-diabetes can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle.

Research shows that if you take action to manage your blood glucose when you have pre-diabetes, you can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes or even prevent it from ever developing.

Determining whether or not you have pre-diabetes gives you a chance to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. If pre-diabetes is left untreated, it may get worse and lead to type 2 diabetes and more serious health complications.

Fasting Blood Glucose Level Test Preparation

What should you do if your doctor orders a fasting blood sugar test? The preparation is the same as when you take a fasting test for cholesterol. First, be sure to find out if you need to schedule an appointment for your test . Ask your doctor what time is best to take it.


Then:

  • Schedule your test if necessary
  • Ask your doctor if you need to change any of the medications you take on the morning of the test
  • If you normally drink coffee or have caffeine, ask your doctor if that is okay. It may not be, since it affects blood sugar levels
  • Fast for at least 8 hours before your test. Usually, an overnight fast is most convenient
  • You can drink water

Recommended Reading: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

Tips For Staying On Track

  • Get support. Tell family and friends your reasons for wanting to change. Tell them that their encouragement makes a big difference to you in your goal to prevent type 2 diabetes. Your doctor or a professional counsellor can also provide support.
  • Pat yourself on the back. Don’t forget to give yourself some positive feedback. If you slip up, don’t waste energy feeling bad about yourself. Instead, think about how much closer you are to reaching your goal than when you started.

What Is Your Fasting Blood Sugar

Prediabetes: How to Reduce the Risks of Developing Diabetes

Simply put, your fasting blood sugar is your blood sugar first thing in the morning before you eat breakfast. Since its been typically has been more than 8 hours since your last meal, the fasting blood sugar indicates how your body has managed its blood sugar levels when variables like food are not present.

Don’t Miss: Can A Diabetic Eat Pasta

Measure Your Waist Circumference

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher if fat is stored around the abdomen . BMI assessments do not take into account where fat is stored. Men with a waist circumference of 102 cm or more and women with a waist circumference of 88 cm or more are at higher risk. Measure after breathing out . This is not the same as the waist size on your pants.


Prediabetes Symptoms & Signs

Prediabetes is a common condition in which the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be considered diagnostic of diabetes. Prediabetes is a precursor of type 2 diabetes and increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. The condition has also been referred to as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose .

While some people with prediabetes may experience some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, in most people, prediabetes does not cause specific signs or associated symptoms. Therefore, many people are unaware that they have prediabetes. Symptoms of diabetes include

  • excessive thirst,

You May Like: Do Type 1 Diabetics Die Young

What Are The Risk Factors

  • Weight: Primary risk factor is being overweight
  • Waist size: A large waist size is an indication of insulin resistance
  • Inactivity: The less active you are, the higher is your risk.
  • Diet: Eating processed meat and red meat, and drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, is linked to a higher risk of prediabetes
  • Age: While diabetes can develop at any age, risk of prediabetes rises after age 45
  • Family history: Your risk of prediabetes rises if you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
  • Gestational diabetes. If you had diabetes while pregnant , you and your child are at higher risk.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Sleep: People with obstructive sleep apnea have increased risk of insulin resistance
  • Tobacco smoke: Smoking may increase insulin resistance.

Random Plasma Glucose Test

Managing Diabetes

A random blood glucose test is a blood test thats performed any time of day that you arent fasting. It measures the sugar level in your blood at that moment in time.

An RPG result thats over 200 mg/dL is indicative of diabetes, especially if youre having symptoms of diabetes such as excessive thirst, hunger, or urination.


If your level is higher, your doctor will use one of the other tests listed to confirm the diagnosis.

Read Also: Which Pancreatic Cells Release Insulin And Glucagon

Other People At Risk Include:

  • Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome*.
  • Women who have had diabetes in pregnancy or given birth to a big baby .
  • Those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background.
  • Those from certain ethnic backgrounds such as the Pacific Islands, Asia and the Indian sub-continent.

For more information refer to the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Diabetes information sheet.

Prediabetes: Symptoms Diagnosis & Treatment

The day youre diagnosed with prediabetes can feel like a remarkably scary day. It can also be a day that motivates you to take action. While type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease , there are still many things you can do to improve your blood sugars right away.

In fact, prediabetes is type 2 diabetes in its earliest stages which is why it shouldnt be dismissed or taken lightly. Youve earned the pre in front of diabetes because while your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, they simply arent high enough to qualify for full-fledged type 2 diabetes.


For some, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is reversible. For others, it may not be.

In this article, well look at the symptoms of prediabetes, how its diagnosed, how its treated, and whether or not it can be reversed.

  • Can prediabetes be reversed?
  • Don’t Miss: Can Type 2 Diabetics Eat Bananas

    Prediabetes Causes And Risk Factors

    Youâre more likely to get prediabetes if you:

    • Are older, especially over age 45
    • Have a waist larger than 40 inches around if youâre a man and 35 inches around if youâre a woman.
    • Eat a lot of red and processed meat, drink sugary beverages, and donât eat much fruit, veggies, nuts, whole grains, or olive oil
    • Are African American, Native American, Latino, or Pacific Islander
    • Are overweight or obese, especially if you have extra pounds around your middle
    • Have a sleep problem, like sleep apnea, or work changing shifts or night shifts

    Get tested for prediabetes if those things apply to you and if you:

    • Have had an unusual blood sugar reading
    • Show signs of insulin resistance, which means your body makes insulin but doesn’t respond to it the way it should. These include darkened areas of skin, trouble concentrating, and more fatigue or hunger than usual.

    Blood Sugar Levels During Pregnancy

    Blood Sugar Health Tips – Pre Diabetic Blood Sugar Levels! – by Dr Sam Robbins

    The NIDDK states that gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that occurs during pregnancy if you were not diabetic before getting pregnant. Healthy blood sugar during pregnancy can help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. It can also lower the risk of your baby being born prematurely, at a high birth weight, and having respiratory problems.

    Blood sugar and insulin levels during the first trimester of pregnancy tend to be lower than usual, but they rise during the late second and early third trimesters. You can be diagnosed with an oral glucose tolerance test .

    These are the steps for the 2-step strategy.

    • Drink a solution with 50 grams of glucose about the amount in 1 16-oz. bottle of a soft drink
    • Get your blood drawn after 1 hour. IF the value is high, retest
    • Fast overnight
    • Drink a solution with 100 grams of glucose about the amount in 12 peanut butter cups
    • Get your blood drawn immediately and after 1, 2, and 3 hours

    Or, your doctor might use the 1-step strategy with a 2-hour OGTT:

    • Fast overnight
    • Drink a solution with 75 grams of glucose
    • Get your blood drawn immediately and after 1 and 2 hours

    These are some values to know from NIDKK related to gestational diabetes and healthy blood sugar in pregnancy.

    Time or Situation
    Baseline: at least 105 mg/dl1 hour: at least 190 mg/dl2 hours: at least 165 mg/dl3 hours: at least 145 mg/dl

    You May Like: Metformin Blood Sugar

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Popular Articles