Prediabetes means that your blood sugars are higher than usual, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It also means that you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You are unlikely to be experiencing any symptoms with prediabetes
Prediabetes is also sometimes called borderline diabetes. Higher than normal blood sugars can be detected via blood tests.
If you’re worried about prediabetes you could call your GP and ask for a blood test. The most common test will be checking your HbA1c levels which is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If your HbA1c level is between 42mmol/mol (6%) – 47mmol/mol (6.4%) this means it is higher than normal and you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes doesn’t have any symptoms. If you start to have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes it means you have probably already developed it. So it’s important to know the risk factors and what support is available to help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
A lot of people don’t get any symptoms when it comes to type 2 diabetes, or don’t notice them. But you may notice:
- going to the toilet more often, especially at night;
- feeling more tired, because your body can’t get enough glucose in to your cells for energy;
- losing weight without trying;
- genital itching or thrush;
- cuts and wounds taking longer to heal;
- blurred vision;
- feeling extremely thirsty.
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