subject: Symptoms Of Pre-diabetes - Who Should Be Tested [print this page] Most people dont realize that they could have it and are dangerously close to being a full blown diabetic. Impaired glucose tolerance, otherwise known as Prediabetes, affects nearly fifty-seven million people (age 20 and older) in the U.S. alone.
With pre-diabetes, your blood sugar level is higher than usual, but its not high enough to label diabetes. Doctors are finally realizing how important it is to diagnose prediabetes. Early detection and treatment may help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
A lot of people who are pre-diabetic dont have symptoms. However, signs such as unusual thirst, blurred vision, extreme tiredness or fatigue and frequent urination are major signs of pre-diabetes and should be checked out further.
Who should be tested for pre-diabetes?
* Anyone over the age of 45
* If you are overweight with a BMI (body mass index) over 25
* If diabetes runs in your family
* If you fall into a high risk ethnic group such as; Native Americans, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Latinos
* If you have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or have had gestational diabetes
* If you previously had and abnormal glucose (blood sugar) test
* If you have a health condition such as; high cholesterol, (high LDL, low HDL) hypertension and high triglycerides
* If you are inactive
How Can It Be Determined?
In order for your doctor to determine if you have symptoms of pre-diabetes, one of two tests are done - fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose.
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) tests the level of blood sugar after 8 hours of fasting. This is where no food or liquid (other then water) is consumed for at least 8 hours. If your blood sugar level is abnormal after fasting for 8 hours, this means your body does not metabolize glucose correctly, suggesting pre-diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is preformed on pregnant women to test for gestational diabetes. This is a test with no limitation and can be done at any time.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you need to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Diabetes is a killer disease. One that you should not take chances with, but can be handled with proper treatment.
If do you find out you're diabetic, be sure to check your blood sugar often, or as advised by your doctor.
