How do I know if I have prediabetes?

Most people with prediabetes don't have any symptoms. Your doctor can test your blood to find out if your blood glucose levels are higher than normal.

Who should be tested for prediabetes?

If you are 45 years old or older, your doctor may recommend that you be tested for prediabetes, especially if you are overweight. Being overweight means your body mass index (BMI) is over 25. BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. If you're not sure, ask your doctor if you are overweight.

Even if you are younger than 45, consider getting tested if you are overweight and

• are physically active less than three times a week
• have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have abnormal levels of HDL cholesterol or triglycerides, two types of blood fats
• had gestational diabetes-diabetes during pregnancy-or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• are African American, American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
• have polycystic ovary syndrome
• have dark, thick, velvety skin around your neck or in your armpits
• have blood vessel problems affecting your heart, brain, or legs

If the results are normal, you should be retested in 3 years. If you have prediabetes, you should be tested for type 2 diabetes every year or two.

What can I do about prediabetes?

Losing weight-at least 5 to 10 percent of your starting weight-can prevent or delay diabetes or even reverse prediabetes. That's 10 to 20 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds. You can lose weight by cutting down on the amount of calories and fat you consume and being physically active at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity also helps make your body's insulin work better.

Ask your doctor if you should also take medicine to help control the amount of glucose in your blood.

The National Diabetes Education Program's "Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent type 2 Diabetes" campaign has more information about preventing diabetes.

Where can I get more information about diabetes?

National Diabetes Education Program
1 Diabetes Way
Bethesda, MD 20814–9692
Phone: 1–888–693–NDEP (1–888–693–6337)
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndep@mail.nih.gov
Internet: www.ndep.nih.gov

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3560
Phone: 1–800–860–8747
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages people to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.

The NIDDK Awareness and Prevention Series is designed to make you ask yourself, “Could this be me or someone I care for?” So take a closer look. Additional information on this topic and other titles in the series is available through the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse or at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.

NIH Publication No. 08-6236
November 2007