Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar is higher than usual but not higher enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes. If it goes unchecked, it will lead to type 2 diabetes and related medical complications.
The larger population has prediabetes who have not been diagnosed and will be having diabetes very shortly within 5 to 8 years if they do not make significant lifestyle changes.
10% of the world population suffered from diabetes. Around 85 million adults have prediabetes in the USA; the estimated prevalence of prediabetes is 14% in India. If not treated, it is a condition that can lead to Type 2 Diabetes in the coming years.
The diagnosed case of prediabetes is only the tip of the iceberg. 90% of prediabetic patients do not even know they are prediabetic. In many people, symptoms may not be present at all, or it may be like:
· Excessive thirst & hunger
· Tiredness and fatigue
· Frequent urination
· Weight gain
Prediabetes is an initial medical condition where the body doesn’t respond to the pancreas’ insulin hormone. Insulin maintains the level of glucose in the blood. A person is more likely to get prediabetes due to the following factors:
A diabetes doctor or Endocrinologist recommends diabetes screening for most adults above age 45 or those who fall under the risk as mentioned above factors. Diabetes screening includes the following tests.
Fasting Blood Sugar Test: This test is done around 8 hours after the meal. An average level is around 100 mg/dl. If this fasting blood sugar level is between 100 to 125 mg/dl, then there is an indication of prediabetes. Above 126 is an indication of diabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: This test is done two hours after a regular meal or sugary drink. Results are expected if the level of blood glucose is up to 140 mg/dl. If glucose level ranges from 140 to 199 mg/dl, then it is prediabetes. Above 200 mg/dl indicates diabetes.
HbA1C (Glycated Hemoglobin Test): This test shows the body’s average sugar level for the past 2–3 months. Glycated Hemoglobin is Hemoglobin attached to sugar. This test measures glycated hemoglobin levels in the blood.
· HbA1c level up to 5.7% is average.
· HbA1c range between 5.7–6.4 is a prediabetic condition.
· Above 6.5% is regarded as diabetic.
You can also consult online at various medical consultancy websites like practo, doctoriduniya, etc., for your prediabetic condition. At DoctoriDuniya You can book an appointment online with a diabetes doctor 24X7, with eOPd and an e-prescription facility.
At DoctoriDuniya prediabetic patients download DoctoriDuniya — Free Medical App and create their online Personal Medical Account called NAINI. Here they can track the history of e-prescriptions of general medicines and, get free follow-ups; get an online doctor consultation with General physicians or Endocrinologists and store their lab reports & Health records for further actions at NAINI.
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