{"id":5327,"date":"2026-07-14T13:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/?p=5327"},"modified":"2026-07-14T13:37:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:37:46","slug":"prediabetes-symptoms-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/prediabetes-symptoms-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Prediabetes? A Reversible Warning Sign 115 Million Americans Have"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Prediabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.<\/strong> It&#8217;s diagnosed with a simple blood test \u2014 A1C, fasting glucose, or an oral glucose tolerance test \u2014 and it usually causes no symptoms at all, which is why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes\/communication-resources\/prediabetes-statistics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an estimated 115.2 million American adults have it, and 8 in 10 don&#8217;t know<\/a>. The good news: prediabetes is reversible. Modest weight loss and regular activity can cut your risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by more than half. Below: the real symptoms to watch for, who&#8217;s at risk, and exactly what prevention looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Prediabetes Is Diagnosed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prediabetes isn&#8217;t something you can feel your way to a diagnosis on \u2014 it&#8217;s confirmed with a blood test ordered by a doctor. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/professionals\/clinical-tools-patient-management\/diabetes\/game-plan-preventing-type-2-diabetes\/prediabetes-screening-how-why\/recommended-tests-identifying-prediabetes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Diabetes Association&#8217;s criteria<\/a>, as summarized by NIDDK, use one of three tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Test<\/th><th>Normal<\/th><th>Prediabetes<\/th><th>Diabetes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>A1C<\/td><td>Below 5.7%<\/td><td>5.7%\u20136.4%<\/td><td>6.5% or higher<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fasting Plasma Glucose<\/td><td>Below 100 mg\/dL<\/td><td>100\u2013125 mg\/dL<\/td><td>126 mg\/dL or higher<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (2-hr)<\/td><td>Below 140 mg\/dL<\/td><td>140\u2013199 mg\/dL<\/td><td>200 mg\/dL or higher<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A single test can sometimes miss it \u2014 some people have a normal fasting glucose but an A1C in the prediabetes range, or vice versa \u2014 which is one reason regular checkups matter more than any single number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Common Is Prediabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prediabetes is far more common than most people realize. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes\/communication-resources\/prediabetes-statistics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CDC<\/a>, 115.2 million American adults \u2014 more than 2 in 5 \u2014 have prediabetes, and roughly 8 in 10 of them don&#8217;t know it, largely because it rarely causes noticeable symptoms. Prevalence rises sharply with age: it affects about 36% of adults 18\u201344, nearly 49% of adults 45\u201364, and just over 52% of adults 65 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prediabetes Symptoms: What to Actually Watch For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Most people with prediabetes have no symptoms at all<\/strong> \u2014 that&#8217;s the central, most important fact about it. It&#8217;s typically found through routine bloodwork rather than because someone felt sick. That said, a few signs are worth knowing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Darkened patches of skin<\/strong> (acanthosis nigricans), often on the neck, armpits, or groin \u2014 a visible sign of insulin resistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased thirst or more frequent urination<\/strong> \u2014 more typical of full diabetes, but can appear as blood sugar climbs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fatigue<\/strong> that doesn&#8217;t have an obvious cause.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because symptoms are unreliable, the CDC and ADA recommend testing based on risk factors and age rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who&#8217;s at Risk for Prediabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain factors raise the odds significantly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Being overweight or having obesity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Age 45 or older<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical inactivity (less than 3 times a week)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby over 9 lbs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander \u2014 groups with higher prevalence rates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Controlling weight is a key factor. For people with prediabetes, even a 5% weight loss can be a powerful preventive measure.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Dr. Trachtenbarg, in an interview with UnityPoint Health<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/food-poisoning-from-spoiled-food\/\">Food Poisoning From Spoiled Food: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Prediabetes Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Left unaddressed, prediabetes raises the risk of eventually developing type 2 diabetes, and research summarized by NIDDK-affiliated researchers links it to roughly a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease as well. That&#8217;s the case for taking it seriously even though it isn&#8217;t a diabetes diagnosis itself \u2014 it&#8217;s a warning sign, and one you can act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prevent Prediabetes From Becoming Type 2 Diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the most encouraging part: prediabetes is one of the few pre-disease states with strong evidence behind exactly how to reverse its trajectory. The landmark <strong>Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)<\/strong> trial found that a structured lifestyle change \u2014 <strong>5\u20137% weight loss<\/strong> plus <strong>150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity<\/strong> (about 30 minutes, 5 days a week) \u2014 cut the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by <strong>58%<\/strong> in adults, and by <strong>71%<\/strong> in adults 60 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lose a modest amount of weight.<\/strong> For someone at 200 lbs, that&#8217;s just 10\u201314 lbs \u2014 not a dramatic transformation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move for 150 minutes a week.<\/strong> Brisk walking counts; it doesn&#8217;t need to be intense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program.<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Diabetes Prevention Program<\/a> offers structured, often insurance-covered coaching based on the original DPP trial.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ask about metformin.<\/strong> NIDDK notes it&#8217;s an option some doctors consider for adults under 60 with prediabetes plus additional risk factors like a BMI of 30+ or an A1C above 6%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get retested periodically.<\/strong> Doctors typically recheck blood sugar every 1\u20132 years once prediabetes is identified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can prediabetes be reversed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, for many people. Weight loss and regular activity can bring blood sugar back into the normal range, though ongoing checkups are still worthwhile since risk doesn&#8217;t disappear entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does prediabetes always turn into type 2 diabetes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. It raises the risk substantially, but it&#8217;s not inevitable \u2014 lifestyle changes meaningfully lower the odds, as shown in large clinical trials like the DPP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What foods should I avoid with prediabetes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&#8217;s no single forbidden food list \u2014 the general pattern that helps is reducing refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks, and building meals around vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. A registered dietitian can tailor this to your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should I get tested for prediabetes if I have no symptoms?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, if you have risk factors like age 45+, excess weight, or a family history \u2014 since most people with prediabetes have no symptoms, risk-based screening is how it&#8217;s usually caught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prediabetes affects more than 2 in 5 American adults, and most don&#8217;t know they have it because it rarely causes symptoms. A simple blood test can catch it, and unlike many health conditions, there&#8217;s strong evidence for exactly what to do about it: modest weight loss and regular activity can cut your risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by more than half. If you have risk factors, ask your doctor about getting tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician before starting any new health routine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes\/communication-resources\/prediabetes-statistics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CDC \u2014 Prediabetes: Could It Be You?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/professionals\/clinical-tools-patient-management\/diabetes\/game-plan-preventing-type-2-diabetes\/prediabetes-screening-how-why\/recommended-tests-identifying-prediabetes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NIDDK \u2014 Recommended Tests for Identifying Prediabetes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes-prevention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CDC \u2014 National Diabetes Prevention Program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What Is Prediabetes? Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"What Is Prediabetes? A Reversible Warning Sign 115 Million Americans Have\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/prediabetes-symptoms-prevention\/#more-5327\" aria-label=\"Read more about What Is Prediabetes? A Reversible Warning Sign 115 Million Americans Have\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5328,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[233,231],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diabetes-metabolic-syndrome","category-chronic-lifestyle-diseases","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5327"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5327\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5330,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5327\/revisions\/5330"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanbodycalculator.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}