Taking positive steps when diagnosed as prediabetic

Hearing the words “you're prediabetic” can stir up a mix of emotions - confusion, concern and even fear.

- By Camilla Foster

But, it's important to remember that prediabetes isn't the same as having type 2 diabetes. It's an early warning sign and a chance to make positive changes and protect your long-term health.

WHAT IS PREDIABETES?

“Prediabetes is used commonly by healthcare professionals to describe the state of having higher than normal blood glucose levels, but they're not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,” says Emma Pike, deputy head of clinical at Diabetes UK.

The HbA1c test is the most common blood test for diagnosing prediabetes because it measures average blood glucose levels over the last two to three months, she explains. “If your HBA1c level is between 42 and 47 mmol/mol that's where we would say you have prediabetes or are at a very high risk of type 2 diabetes. Whereas, a HbA1c level of 48 mmol/mol or above suggests you have diabetes.”