Prediabetes is the medical stage in which not all of the symptoms required to label a person as diabetic are present, but blood sugar is abnormally high. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) refers to a condition in which the fasting blood glucose is elevated above normal levels (WHO criteria: 6.1 mmol/l or 110 mg/dL to 6.9 mmol/L or 125 mg/dL) but is not high enough to be classified as diabetes mellitus. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular pathology. Many newly identified IFG and IGT patients’ progress to diabetes mellitus in future.  

Though there is no distinct signs or symptoms for prediabetes, monitoring signs of diabetes like Constant hunger, Unexplained weight loss/ weight gain, Flu-like symptoms including weakness and fatigue, Blurred vision, Slow healing of cuts or bruises, Tingling or loss of feeling in hands or feet, Recurring gum or skin infections, Recurring vaginal or bladder infections, etc can help us diagnose the condition.

Causes that lead to this grey area can be Sleep disorders, Family history of diabetes (parent or sibling), Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg), Increased triglycerides levels (> 200), Low levels of good cholesterol (HDL< 35), Overweight or obesity (BMI > 25), History of gestational diabetes or infant born with birth weight greater than 9 lb (4 kg) and/or have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), High risk ethnic group (African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander), Fasting blood glucose > 99, History of vascular disease, age >45, physically inactive.

Guidelines for reversing prediabetes/preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes are:

Healthy diet pattern - A diet low in saturated fat, sugars, and refined carbohydrates, as well as limited sodium and total calories.

Physical exercise - Walking and 45 minutes of exercise per day, five days a week.

Maintaining Ideal Weight - Reducing the excess weight by as little as 5-10 percent may have a significant impact on overall health.