Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at risk for developing diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. There are two forms of pre-diabetes: impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

 

Pre-Diabetes: An Introduction

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have "pre-diabetes." Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
 
In addition to diabetes, people with pre-diabetes are at risk for developing heart attacks and strokes.
 
Studies suggest that weight loss and increased physical activity can prevent or delay diabetes.
 

Forms of Pre-Diabetes

There are two forms of pre-diabetes:
 
 
  • Impaired fasting glucose
  • Impaired glucose tolerance.
     
Impaired Fasting Glucose
A person has impaired fasting glucose (IFG) when fasting plasma glucose is 100 to 125 mg/dL. This level is higher than normal but less than the level indicating a diagnosis of diabetes.
 
Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) means that blood glucose during the oral glucose tolerance test is higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IGT is diagnosed when the glucose level is 140 to 199 mg/dL 2 hours after a person drinks a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose.
 
(Pre-Diabetes Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD