Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but you do not yet have type 2 diabetes. The prediabetes range for a person's blood sugar level is between 100-125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). This is higher than normal, but not in the range of having diabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition that should be taken as a warning sign. Without treatment, prediabetes is likely to develop into type 2 diabetes, which usually cannot be reverted.

About 96 million adults in the U.S. have prediabetes. The condition is also on the rise in children. Studies show that 1 in 5 children are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of:

• Eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy)
• Nerve damage
• Stroke
• Vascular disease

Prediabetes might not cause symptoms, so about 80% of people with the condition don’t know they have it. With a healthy diet, exercise and weight loss, you can overcome prediabetes and prevent type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes rarely causes symptoms, but there are symptoms of diabetes. In some cases, you may notice darkened patches of skin or skin tags on your neck or under your armpits.

Some research suggests that certain people develop early diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy when they have prediabetes. Weakened blood vessels in your retina (area in the back of your eye) can lead to vision problems.

Symptoms of diabetes

• Constant thirst, despite drinking lots of liquids
• Frequent urination, especially during the night
• Unexpected weight loss
• Hunger, despite eating normally
• Fatigue and weakness
• Blurred vision
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Slow healing of cuts and sores

Your pancreas produces insulin. This hormone helps move sugar (glucose) to your cells from your blood, so it can be used for energy. But if you have prediabetes, your cells resist the insulin and don’t get enough sugar.

Your pancreas makes more insulin to fix the problem, but over time, sugar builds up in your blood and can lead to prediabetes. Eventually, your pancreas produces less insulin, and your blood sugar levels go even higher, which results in type 2 diabetes.

Experts believe that insulin resistance in your cells is related to:  

You are also at a higher risk for prediabetes based on your:

Find out why most people don't know they have prediabetes

Your health care provider does simple blood tests to measure your glucose levels (or the amount of sugar in your blood). A normal blood glucose level (or blood sugar level) between meals is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).

A blood sugar level of 126 mg/dl or higher after fasting for 12 hours or more than 200 mg/dl two hours after eating is cause for concern. This is a characteristic of diabetes.

At UC Davis Health, our endocrinologists offer the full range of care for people with prediabetes and those at high risk for type 2 diabetes. We offer diabetes health education classes, diabetes testing and convenient diabetes clinics throughout Sacramento.

Your diabetes specialist builds a personalized plan to reverse prediabetes and help you get your health back on track. We also offer specialized services for children at risk for type 2 diabetes at our pediatric endocrinology and diabetes program.

You can lower your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Getting regular prediabetes tests based on your risk level
• Keeping chronic health conditions under control
• Losing weight
• Not smoking