Gretchen Scalpi, RDN

The short answer is that you may have a some symptoms or absolutely none at all! When I speak with people who have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes they often describe symptoms that are vague and don’t point specifically to anything in particular. So often the person with pre-diabetes goes to their doctor for a routine checkup or for something else. When their lab work comes back, their blood sugar is in the pre-diabetes range and they had no idea.

For many, pre-diabetes is barely noticeable. The person may feel a bit tired, but presumes that is normal because of a busy lifestyle.  They may not make the connection between the fatigue and the pre-diabetes. Here are some symptoms that may or may not occur, but if you have any, you should pay attention to them.

• Sudden increased thirst or more urination than usual.
•  Fatigue that just does not improve, even if with more sleep.
• Blurred vision that is not permanent, but tends to come and go. Perhaps suddenly your usual eyeglass prescription does not seem to correct your vision.

The most important thing to know about pre-diabetes is that you should not ignore it. If you have some of these symptoms or feel that things are not quite right, get it checked out. You could have pre-diabetes.

People who are overweight, sedentary, or have a family history of diabetes are more at risk for pre-diabetes and should have their blood sugar tested routinely; at least annually.

Although pre-diabetes is not yet diabetes, don’t assume it will get better on it’s own or go away.

If you suspect that you may have pre-diabetes:

• confirm the diagnosis by having your blood glucose checked
• start taking action to correct the problem.

Ignoring pre-diabetes for a year or two can send you well on your way to full blown diabetes or even development of associated diabetic complications.

Even though you may not want to hear the news that you have pre-diabetes, if you take action right away you can possibly reverse it, or at the very least, slow down the progression to type 2 diabetes.
What actions do you need to take?

• Work with a registered dietitian and you health care provider to get on a healthy eating and exercise plan
• Learn how to monitor your blood glucose (2-3 times a week is a good start)
• Follow up with your physician routinely to make sure that your pre-diabetes is not worsening

If you have pre-diabetes and would like to read about how to manage and possibly reverse this condition, you may want read my ebook, Pre-diabetes:  Your Second Chance at Health.

Tags: diabetes, diabetic, pre-diabetes