Prediabetes: Signs to Watch For and When to Get Tested
You can feel healthy, stay busy, and still have blood sugar that runs higher than it should. That is why prediabetes is so easy to miss. More than 2 in 5 adults in the U.S. have prediabetes, and 8 in 10 of them are unaware of it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prediabetes means your blood sugar is above the normal range but below the level for type 2 diabetes. Think of it as an early heads-up from your body, giving you time to make changes. With early care, prediabetes can often be reversed.
What We Want You to Know
- Prediabetes is very common. More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults have it, and most of them feel fine.
- A blood test is the only way to know for sure. Your provider can check your blood sugar with a simple test.
- Testing often starts at age 35. You may need testing sooner if you have other risk factors.
- Small, steady changes make a real difference. Healthy eating and regular movement can lower your chances of type 2 diabetes.
- Peach Tree Health is here for you. We offer primary care for adults and children, with a sliding fee scale for people who qualify.
What Is Prediabetes?
When you eat, your body turns food into sugar, also called glucose, for energy. A hormone called insulin moves that sugar from your blood into your cells.
With prediabetes, your body has a harder time using insulin. Extra sugar stays in your blood instead.
How Prediabetes Affects Your Health
Over time, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Prediabetes also raises your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Prediabetes in California
Prediabetes is especially common here in California. A UCLA study estimated that:
- 46 percent of adults in the state have prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes
- 1 in 3 young adults ages 18 to 39 has prediabetes
Signs of Prediabetes to Watch For
Most people with prediabetes feel completely fine. Some people do notice changes in their body, such as:
- Darker, velvety patches of skin on the back or sides of the neck or in the armpits
- Small skin growths, called skin tags, in those same areas
- Feeling thirstier than usual or using the bathroom more often
- Feeling tired much of the time
- Blurry vision
- Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
Several of these are also common signs of diabetes. If you notice any of them, make an appointment with your provider soon. A quick blood test can show where your numbers stand.
Since many people have no signs at all, your risk factors are often the best guide.
Are You at Higher Risk for Prediabetes?
Certain factors raise your chances of developing prediabetes. According to NIDDK, you may be at higher risk if you:
- Are 35 or older
- Have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- Carry extra weight, especially around your waist
- Get little physical activity during the week
- Had diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby who weighed 9 pounds or more
- Smoke, vape, or spend time around secondhand smoke
- Have a condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or sleep apnea
- Are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic, Latino, or Pacific Islander
Some of these, like your age and family history, are out of your hands. Others, like activity and smoking, are things you can work on over time with support.
Curious where you stand? The CDC’s free Prediabetes Risk Test takes about a minute. If you score 5 or higher, talk with your provider about getting a blood test.
When to Get Tested for Prediabetes
NIDDK recommends that your provider consider testing you for prediabetes if:
- You are 35 or older
- You carry extra weight and have one or more other risk factors
Children can develop prediabetes, too. Providers often begin testing children who carry extra weight around age 10 or once puberty starts. If you have questions about your child’s risk, our pediatrics team can help.
How often you get tested depends on your results:
- If your results are in the normal range and you have risk factors, plan to get tested at least every three years.
- If your results show prediabetes, your provider will likely check for type 2 diabetes once a year.
What Your Blood Test Measures
Your provider may use one of these common tests:
- A1C test. This test shows your average blood sugar over the past 3 months. An A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% means prediabetes.
- Fasting blood sugar test. This test checks your blood sugar after you skip eating, usually overnight. A result between 100 and 125 mg/dL means prediabetes.
Your provider will explain which test fits your situation and what your numbers mean for you.
What Happens If You Have Prediabetes?
Learning you have prediabetes can bring up a lot of feelings, and that is completely okay. This diagnosis gives you and your care team time to act before type 2 diabetes develops.
How Lifestyle Changes Help
Healthy habits can make a big difference. Here is what the research shows:
- 58% lower risk. People with prediabetes who joined a structured lifestyle change program cut their risk of type 2 diabetes by 58%, according to the CDC.
- 71% lower risk for adults over 60. These programs worked even better for people over 60.
- 5% to 7% of your starting weight. Losing this amount can lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, that is about 10 to 14 pounds.
Here are a few places to start:
- Fill half your plate with vegetables at lunch and dinner.
- Choose water in place of soda, sweet tea, or energy drinks.
- Take a short walk after meals, whether around your block, a local park, or your workplace parking lot.
- Protect your sleep by keeping a regular bedtime when you can.
- Ask about support to quit smoking or vaping if you use tobacco.
Start with one change that feels doable, then build from there. Your provider may also talk with you about medicine, such as metformin, to help manage your blood sugar.
Your Questions About Prediabetes, Answered
How Peach Tree Health Can Help
At Peach Tree Health, our family medicine providers care for the whole person. We can check your blood sugar, explain your results in plain language, and work with you on a plan that fits your life. If your results show type 2 diabetes, you can learn more about diabetes care at Peach Tree Health.
Your care can also reach beyond the exam room. Our Community Health team can help you find resources for food, transportation, and housing. If you need a prescription filled, our pharmacy can fill it and offers delivery options.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we accept Medi-Cal and offer a sliding fee scale based on income for people who qualify. If you need health coverage, our team can help you apply for Medi-Cal.
Find Out Where Your Blood Sugar Stands
A simple blood test can give you answers and peace of mind. Our providers are here to listen, explain your results, and help you take the next step for your health.
Call (530) 749-3242 to schedule a visit, or find a Peach Tree Health location near you.