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.
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
© Copyright 2017 Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. All rights reserved.
This information is provided by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of Mubadala Healthcare, and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.