According to the CDC, 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes, yet 90 percent have no idea. With no intervention, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years, per the CDC. It’s possible to have prediabetes with no clear symptoms, making it hard to identify until type 2 diabetes develops. But, in many cases, you can recognize the warning signs and stop prediabetes in its tracks. It’s important to note that while the signs and risk factors in this article can point to prediabetes, every case is different. If you think you have prediabetes, contact your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Skin discoloration
Darkened or discolored skin on certain parts of the body typically occur in people who are obese or have diabetes, although obesity does not always mean a person has prediabetes. This is called acanthosis nigricans, and it commonly affects your neck, armpits, elbows, knees and knuckles. Acanthosis nigricans has been associated withnsulin resistance, a common symptom of diabetes caused by the body’s inability to remove glucose from the bloodstream. Along with being darker than usual, the affected skin may also feel leathery, or velvety, and develop an itch or smell.
Numbness or tingling in hands, feet, fingers or toes
Nerve pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities are common early signs of neuropathy. Your hands and feet may feel like they’re asleep, or you may notice a painful “pins and needles” sensation throughout your body.
While it was previously believed that neuropathy only developed in type 2 diabetes, a growing body of research has linked neuropathy with prediabetes. One study followed 62 people over three years, and found that those with prediabetes developed nerve damage over the entire length of sensory nerve fibers. Because neuropathy can lead to irreparable nerve damage, early intervention is essential.
Increased thirst
Increased thirst and frequent urination are common symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and they can occur in some cases of prediabetes as well. When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys try to remove the excess sugar by filtering it out of your blood. This leads to more frequent urination, especially at night, which in turn leads to increased thirst during the day.
Increased hunger
When blood glucose levels are higher than normal, glucose from the blood can’t enter the cells, due to a lack of insulin, or insulin resistance. This essentially means your body can’t convert the food you eat into energy, causing an increase in hunger, even after meals.
Screening prediabetes: Are you at risk?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that adults begin routine blood glucose screening at age 45. If results are normal, screening can be repeated every three years. If results are borderline or point to prediabetes, follow-up testing may be needed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for prediabetes of you have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Age 45 or older
- Overweight or obese
- Family history of diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- History of gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
- African American, Native American or Hispanic descent
Some lifestyle factors can increase your risk of prediabetes as well, according to the American Heart Association. These include:
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Raised stress levels
- Lack of physical activity
While some risk factors for prediabetes are outside of your control, others can be controlled through lifestyle changes, medication and other means. It’s important to work with a healthcare professional to understand your individual risk factors and the best course of action to prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosing prediabetes
Early intervention is key in preventing the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. If you have any of the signs or risk factors above, or believe you may have an elevated risk of prediabetes due to family history or lifestyle factors, contact a healthcare professional. There are several tests they’ll conduct to diagnose, or rule out, prediabetes.
Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
- An A1C level below 5.7 percent is considered normal
- An A1C level between 5.7 and 6.4 percent indicates prediabetes
- An A1C level of 6.5 or higher on two separate tests indicates type 2 diabetes
Fasting blood sugar test
After you fast for at least eight hours, or overnight, a blood sample is taken to evaluate your blood sugar level.
- Fasting blood sugar levels below 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered normal
- Fasting blood sugar levels between 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes
- Fasting blood sugar levels over 126 mg/dL indicates type 2 diabetes
Further testing
If you have prediabetes, your doctor will likely want to monitor you on a yearly basis with further testing. These tests can include annual A1C and fasting blood sugar tests, as well as tests for total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Lowering your risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes
The American Diabetes Association states that you can reduce your risk of progressing from prediabetes to diabetes by losing 5-7 percent of your body weight and by maintaining a moderate exercise routine of 30 minutes a day, five days a week. While this may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that change can be incremental. You don’t need to radically alter your lifestyle right away—instead, it’s best to make purposeful, mindful changes to make a lasting impact. For example, you can add more physical activity to your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, swimming laps in the pool, or taking the dog for a walk. Over time, these changes will become routine, and you’ll live healthier as a result.
Prediabetes concerns? Sun Health Wellness can help
While you may feel powerless after a prediabetes diagnosis, or feel confused about where to start with eating healthy, exercising and more, it’s important to know you’re not alone. We believe it’s never too late to get started when it comes to improving your overall health and wellbeing. Many healthy living classes and services provided by Sun Health Wellness, such as weight management, nutrition and fitness services, can give you the education and confidence you need to make real and lasting lifestyle changes.
Diabetes Prevention Program
Sun Health Wellness is proud to offer the only Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program that has achieved Full Recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This reflects that the program meets the rigorous standards set forth by the CDC for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
If you’ve been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, our in-person Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is covered by most health insurance plans, as well as Medicare. The program includes nutritional education designed to motivate long-term dietary change, guidelines to increase physical activity and strategies for overcoming challenges related to making lasting lifestyle changes. Contact us for more information about this program, and our other resources that can assist you on your pre-diabetes journey.
