BORDERLINE DIABETES - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREDIABETES AND TYPE 2 DIABETES?

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, then this is the stage to get into action! But there is no way that you can get into action without awareness of the problem.

The first step begins with awareness.

WHAT IS BORDERLINE DIABETES?

Prediabetes (or borderline diabetes) is when the blood sugars are outside of the normal range but not quite in the range to diagnose type 2 diabetes.

The clinical name for this is called impaired fasting glucose.

Prediabetes or borderline diabetes is important because it serves as a warning sign. This is the time to make important adjustments in lifestyle. Or the risk of becoming a type 2 diabetic rises.

HOW IS PREDIABETES DIAGNOSED?

The fastest way to diagnose prediabetes is with a fasting blood sugar. I usually recommend an ove
ight fast of at least 8 hours and if possible up to 12 hours.

Normal blood glucose levels for diabetes are betwee
70-99 mg/dL. Essentially less tha
100 mg/dl

When the blood glucose level is betwee
100-125 mg/dL, this indicates prediabetes or borderline diabetes.

If the level is over 126 mg/dl this indicate type 2 diabetes.

Another test that can be used to diagnose prediabetes is called the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

This is a more detailed test. First a fasting blood glucose level is performed. So once again an 8-12 hour fast is required.

Then you are given a very sweet liquid to drink. This is equivalent to 75 G glucose. Or the amount of sugar in a can of coke for instance.

Two hours after drinking this, another blood test is done. If this level is between tha
140 and 199 mg/dL.

When the blood sugar level is over 200 mg/dL then this indicates type 2 diabetes.

DOES BORDERLINE DIABETES HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS?

There are no symptoms associated with borderline diabetes. So do not expect to have the common signs of diabetes.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PREDIABETES?

The main risk is developing type 2 diabetes. However people with prediabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure.

Remember that the same risks that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes can also put you at risk for prediabetes.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT PREDIABETES FROM BECOMING TYPE 2 DIABETES?

Being diagnosed with prediabetes should serve as a warning signal to make adjustments in your lifestyle.

In other words it does not mean that inevitably you will become a type 2 diabetic.

I like to closely monitor my patients whom I diagnose with prediabetes. This is one of the times that with a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, progression to diabetes can be reversed.

The hallmark of successfully reversing prediabetes remains diet and exercise. If you are overweight or obese, commit to losing weight.

Just by losing 10% of your current body weight you could reverse these effects.

It is important to partner with your physician during this critical stage. By monitoring your blood tests, you and your physician are better aware of corrective action to take.

Sometimes your doctor may opt to put you on a medication called metformin. When this happens, a lot of times patients may get confused because they don’t quite understand why they are on a medication for diabetes even though they do not have diabetes. But research shows that metformin helps to reduce the probability of developing full blown diabetes.

So the next time that you hear someone tell you that they were just diagnosed with prediabetes or borderline diabetes, do them a favor and educate them about it.