If you have been told that you have prediabetes, you may be wondering what it means for your long-term health. The important thing to know is that prediabetes is not the same as type 2 diabetes. It means that your blood sugar levels are higher than the normal range, but they have not reached the level used to diagnose diabetes.
Having prediabetes gives you an opportunity to act. Changes to your diet, activity levels and, where appropriate, your weight can reduce the chance of type 2 diabetes developing.
What is Prediabetes?
If you are searching ‘what is prediabetes’, the simplest explanation is that it is a warning stage between normal blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes. You may also hear the condition described as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia or borderline diabetes. Your body uses the hormone insulin to help move glucose from the blood into the cells, where it can be used for energy. When the insulin does not work as effectively as it should, or your body does not make enough, the amount of glucose in your blood can rise.
This is why having prediabetes explained clearly matters. You do not have diabetes simply because your blood sugar is above the normal range, but your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher.
How is Prediabetes Diagnosed?
Prediabetes is diagnosed using a blood test rather than by symptoms alone. One common test is the HbA1c test, which gives an indication of your average blood glucose level over the previous two to three months.
In the UK, an HbA1c result from 42 to 47 mmol/mol is generally classed as prediabetes. A result of 48 mmol/mol or above is within the diabetes range. You can read more about blood tests for diabetes from Diabetes UK.
Your GP may arrange testing because of your risk factors, an NHS Health Check or another routine blood test. If your result is in the prediabetes range, the healthcare professional can explain to you what happens next.
Are There Any Prediabetes Symptoms?
There usually are no obvious prediabetes symptoms. The absence of prediabetes symptoms means the condition can go unnoticed until you have a blood test. You may feel completely well even though your blood glucose level is higher than it should be. If you have noticed increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision or unusual tiredness, speak to your GP. These can be symptoms of diabetes and should be assessed. A blood test is needed to identify raised blood glucose accurately.
Why Does Prediabetes Matter?
When you have prediabetes explained as a warning stage, it becomes easier to see why the diagnosis matters. Your blood sugar is already outside the normal range, and without changes it may rise further over time. Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of problems affecting the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves. However, progression to type 2 diabetes is not inevitable, and you can take practical steps to reduce your risk.
Your individual risk depends on factors including your age, family history, ethnicity, weight, waist measurement and activity levels. You can find more information in the Diabetes UK prediabetes guide.
What Can You Do After a Prediabetes Diagnosis?
Once you understand what is prediabetes, the next question is what you can do about it. The changes you make should be realistic for you and your circumstances. Regular physical activity can help your body use insulin more effectively. You might try walking, swimming, cycling or another activity you enjoy, then gradually build the amount you do. If you have another health condition, ask the healthcare professional what is suitable for you.
Your diet matters too. Try to base your meals around vegetables, higher-fibre carbohydrates, appropriate portions of protein and unsaturated fats. Reducing foods and drinks high in free sugars can also help.
If you are overweight, losing some weight may reduce your risk, but prediabetes can also affect people who are within a healthy weight range. Your GP can help you decide whether weight loss should be part of your plan.
What Support is Available?
You do not need to work out every change by yourself. Your GP will offer advice, arrange follow-up blood tests or refer you to a diabetes prevention service. In England, the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/diabetes-prevention/ provides support with healthier eating, weight management and physical activity for eligible people.
Your blood sugar should also be checked periodically to see whether it has returned to the normal range, stayed stable or increased.
What Comes Next?
If you have recently received a diagnosis and are still asking ‘what is prediabetes’, remember that the result is useful information rather than a prediction of what must happen next. It identifies an increased risk at a stage when you can still make meaningful changes.
With prediabetes explained properly, you can focus on practical, manageable steps rather than worrying about the label itself. Speak to your GP about your results, follow the monitoring you are offered and make changes you can maintain. The aim is to help keep your blood sugar within a healthier range.
FAQs
Can prediabetes go back to normal?
Yes, your blood sugar can return to the normal range, if you make changes that improve how your body responds to insulin. Increasing your activity, improving your diet and losing weight if appropriate can all help. Your results should still be monitored because your risk of type 2 diabetes may remain higher than average even if the reading improves.
Does prediabetes always turn into type 2 diabetes?
No. Prediabetes means that your risk of type 2 diabetes is increased, not that developing it is inevitable. Some people remain in the prediabetes range, while others return to normal blood glucose levels. The lifestyle changes you make and the monitoring offered by your healthcare team can reduce your risk and show how your blood sugar changes over time.
