Dr Chinnadorai Rajeswaran, consultant diabetologist explains all about investigations, treatment and complications of prediabetes. Please email him if you need more information.
Prediabetes has been discussed lot in the recent years. Prediabetes has been associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in some studies.
People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood glucose but not high enough to be labelled as diabetes. Certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing prediabetes, which is similar to type 2 diabetes. You should be tested for prediabetes , if you fall into any of the below groups:
A blood test to check either fasting plasma glucose or HbA1C is used to diagnose prediabetes. If
OR
It is always a good practice to repeat the test to confirm. If however you have symptoms of diabetes (excessive urination, thirst or weight loss) and have a HbA1c of below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%), another blood test called oral glucose tolerance test should be done.
As you know a HbA1C of 48mmol/mol or more is diagnostic of diabetes
Yes, Prediabetes can be reversed. Once reversed blood test, in particular HbA1C is less than 42mmol/mol. NHS Diabetes prevention programme revealed that prediabetes can be reversed with appropriate life style management and weight loss. However, any intervention is useful only if the outcomes are sustained.
It is therefore important to adapt life style changes which is inbuilt into your life. Rapid weight loss programme may not help in the long run.
In addition to healthy life style changes and weight loss, metformin could be considered in some situations. Please discuss with your doctor.
If prediabetes is not treated or reversed, there is a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Dr Chinnadorai Rajeswaran is a consultant Physician specialising in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity. As a private endocrinologist he has private endocrine, diabetes and weight loss clinics in Harley Street, London, Claremont Hospital,Sheffield, Nuffield Hospital,Leeds and simplyweight, Bradford.
He has face to face consultations with people from Leeds, Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Bradford, Harrogate, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and London. He also offers video consultations.