Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, although not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There are two pre-diabetes conditions:
• Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) - blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
• Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) - blood glucose levels are escalated in the fasting state but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
Pre-diabetes has no signs or symptoms.
Risk factors for pre-diabetes are similar to those for type 2 diabetes which are:
Overweight – especially excess weight around the waistline
Low levels of physical activity
High triglycerides
Low HDL cholesterol
High total cholesterol.
High blood pressure
Family history of type 2 diabetes and/or heart disease
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
High alcohol intake
To determine if you have Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or Impaired fasting glucose (IFG), your doctor is likely to ask you about your medical and family history, perform a physical assessment and/or request the following tests:
Glycoslyated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)