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View DoctorsPeople 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.
Pre-diabetes puts you at risk for developing high blood pressure, and blood lipid disorders. Patients with pre-diabetes should have an annual medical checkup that includes blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipids.
What is a blood glucose test?
A blood glucose test is a blood test that screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose (sugar) in a person's blood. To get an accurate plasma glucose level, you must have fasted (not eaten) for at least 8-10 hours prior to the test.
Tests & Lab Value
Normal fasting blood sugar is between 3.9 5.5 mmol/L for people who do not have diabetes. A normal random blood sugar result is between 3.9 7.8. The diagnosis of pre-diabetes is made when two blood tests show that your fasting blood sugar level is between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L, or if two random (anytime) blood sugar tests are greater than or equal to 7.8, but below 11.1.
| Fasting Glucose Level | |
|---|---|
| Normal | Les s than 5.6 mmol/L |
| Pre-Diabetes | 5.6 6.9 mmol/L |
| Diabetes | 7 or higher mmol/L |
| A1C | |
|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 5.6% |
| Pre-Diabetes | 5.7-6.4% |
| Diabetes | Greater than or equal to 6.5% |
| Random (Anytime) Glucose Test (X2) | |
|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 7.8 mmol/L |
| Pre-Diabetes | 7.8 11.0 mmol/L |
| Diabetes | Greater than or equal to 11.1 mmol/L |
Eat well
You can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes if you:
- Always have a healthy breakfast
- Have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day
- Control portions on your plate
- Choose lean cuts of white meat, poultry with no skin and fish instead of processed meat
- Choose unsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil, corn oil, or sunflower oil) instead of saturated fats (butter, samna/ghee, animal fat, coconut oil or palm oil)
- Grill, poach, steam or stir-fry (with little oil) your food instead of frying
- Have nuts, a piece of fresh fruit or unsweetened yogurt as a snack
- Drink water, unsweetened coffee or tea instead of fruit juice and full sugar soda
Keep active
Aim for about 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. If you haven't been very active recently, start out with five or 10 minutes a day. This can be increased every week. You can also split up your activity; try a brisk 10 minute walk three times each day. If you're trying to lose weight, you may want to aim for more than 30 minutes a day.
Ways to get aerobic exercise:
- Take a brisk walk every day
- Take a dance aerobics class
- Swim or do water aerobics
- Take a bicycle ride outdoors or use a stationary bicycle indoors
