Prediabetes Diagnosis
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Early detection is crucial, as lifestyle changes at this stage can prevent progression to type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of complications.
Recognising the Risk Factors
Prediabetes often has no noticeable symptoms, making it easy to overlook. Key risk factors include being overweight, having a family history of type 2 diabetes, leading a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being over 40 years old. Certain ethnic groups, including South Asian, African Caribbean, and Middle Eastern populations, are also at higher risk.
Medical Testing
Blood tests are essential for diagnosing prediabetes. A fasting blood glucose test measures sugar levels after an overnight fast, while an oral glucose tolerance test evaluates how the body responds to sugar over a few hours. Another common test is the HbA1c, which reflects average blood glucose levels over the past two to thre