Prediabetes Symptoms

Prediabetes, which is sometimes referred to as “impaired glucose tolerance” is a health situation which usually shows no physical symptoms.

Approximately fifty million people in the US over the age of 20 are diagnosed as prediabetes.

If you have one or more risks factor and you’re glucose level is slightly elevated, you are referred to as having prediabetes. It almost always leads to the development of Type 2 diabetes.

These risk factors are:

• History in family of Type 2 diabetes.
• History of gestational diabetes or having delivering a baby weighting more that 9 lbs.
• Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, and Pacific Islanders ethic groups
• Obese or overweight.
• History of high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high bad “LDL” cholesterol or a low good “HDL” cholesterol.
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Older adults

It has become important in the medical community to diagnose prediabetes so early treatment can prevent worse health problems from developing. In fact, with early diagnosis and treatment of prediabetes there is a possibility of preventing Type 2 diabetes and also the complications associated with diabetes, such as blood vessel problems, eye problems, heart disease or kidney disease.

A person should be treated for prediabetes if:

• They are 45 years of age or old
• They are overweight and have a body mass index (BMI) over 25
• They have any risk factors for diabetes
• They belong to a ethnic group which is considered high risk
• They previously have had an impaired fasting glucose level or abnormal glucose tolerance test
• They have a past history of gestational diabetes or of delivering a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.
• They have cluster of problems usually seen in the metabolic syndrome.
• They have polycystic ovary syndrome

Although there are no symptoms which have developed yet, persons with prediabetes may have a skin condition which is known as acanthosis nigricans. This condition is a darkened of areas of skin. These areas commonly affected are the neck, elbows, knees, armpits and knuckles.

The classical symptoms of Type 2 diabetes to be on the watch for are:

• Increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision