People with blood sugar levels higher than normal but lower than values for diabetes are considered to have pre-diabetes. Research shows that most people with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Making healthy changes in your diet and physical activity has been shown to delay or prevent diabetes and other health problems.

A fasting blood sugar test is performed after you have had nothing by mouth (eating or drinking) for 10-12 hours. Normal fasting blood sugar is between 70 and 99 mg/dl (3.9 – 5.5 mmol/L) for people who do not have diabetes. A normal random blood sugar result is between 70 and 140 mg/dl (3.9 – 7.8 mg/L). The diagnosis of pre-diabetes is made when two blood tests show that your fasting blood sugar level is between 100 and 125 mg/dl (5.6 – 6.9 mmol/L), or if two random (anytime) blood sugar tests are greater than or equal to 140 (7.8), but below 200 (11.1).

How is pre-diabetes treated?

The first step is to lose weight. You can achieve this through diet and increased physical activity. Also, talk with your doctor and other healthcare professionals about your treatment plan and goals.

You hold the key to managing your pre-diabetes by:

• Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan.
  
• Increasing physical activity.
• Taking your medicine, if prescribed, and closely following the guidelines on how and when to take it.
• Monitoring your blood sugar as prescribed by your doctor.
  
• Keeping your appointments with your healthcare provider.
  
• Monitoring your blood pressure (Your target blood pressure is less than 130/80.)
  

If you have pre-diabetes, you can slow the progression to Type 2 diabetes by 54 percent by following a healthy diet, losing weight (if applicable), and exercising.