Prediabetes

People who have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes have prediabetes.

Diagnosis	Fasting test	Casual test
Diabetes	126 mg/dL or higher	200 mg/dL or higher and symptoms
Prediabetes	100 to 125 mg/dL	140 to 199 mg/dL
Normal	Less than 100 mg/dL	Less than 140 mg/dL

In prediabetes, the body cannot use insulin efficiently. Glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of entering the cells. Blood glucose levels then rise, and the pancreas works overtime to overcome the resistance. For a while, the extra insulin moves enough glucose into cells to keep glucose from building up too high in the blood.

This can last for many years, but eventually the pancreas tires. Insulin production slows, and the glucose in the blood overruns the body's ability to use it. Type 2 diabetes then begins, though often it is not discovered until years later.

People with prediabetes can take steps to help prevent type 2 diabetes. Studies show that losing five to seven percent of your body weight and exercising 30 minutes a day can help reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes by as much as 58 percent.

To make an appointment with International Diabetes Center, call 952-993-3393 or toll-free at 888-825-6315.