Prediabetes: How to Know If You’re at Risk

An alarming CDC statistic reveals a silent health crisis: 8 in 10 adults with prediabetes don’t realize they have it until a doctor’s visit.

Often, by the time a person is aware of their condition, it has already progressed to full-blown type 2 diabetes. 

If only they had learned the early signs of prediabetes, they might have been able to prevent it from worsening.

This is why we've created an updated blog post on prediabetes symptoms, so you can recognize the signs in yourself or those around you. 

Below, we dive deep into this topic and share what you can do when you recognize it early to prevent type 2 diabetes.

The Silent Threat: Prediabetes Risk Factors

To prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes, you have to understand what causes it. Remember, it doesn't form out of nowhere; it's often a combination of your lifestyle, medical history, and genetics.

Lifestyle Factors

The way you live your life will show as you age. If you're spending most of your time living a sedentary lifestyle and eating unhealthy foods, then you have a higher risk of developing prediabetes.

• Unhealthy Diet: High intakes of refined carbohydrates and sugary foods can lead to elevated levels of insulin in your blood. Over time, it leads to you having persistently high blood sugar levels.

• Sedentary Lifestyle: An inactive lifestyle makes this problem worse. When you are not physically active, your muscles don't efficiently use glucose for energy, leaving more of it to circulate in your blood. This lack of muscle activity makes your body more resistant to insulin, making it harder for blood sugar to be regulated. 

A while back, Dr. Jack shared what he wished he had done to prevent diabetes. Two of the main things were being more active and eating a healthy diet. 

Read more of his diabetes prevention tips here to discover what other knowledge he has to share.

Medical and Genetic Prediabetic Factors

Even though these risks are outside of your control, being able to answer "Am I at risk for prediabetes?" helps you take it back. 

The medical and genetic prediabetic factors to be aware of include:

• Family history of type 2 diabetes: Your risk is higher if a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.

• History of gestational diabetes: If you developed diabetes during a pregnancy, you and your child have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This common hormonal disorder in women is strongly linked to insulin resistance and a higher risk of prediabetes.

• High blood pressure or cholesterol: These conditions often coexist with insulin resistance and can increase your risk of developing prediabetes.

Another factor outside of your control is demographic traits. This includes:

• Age: Your risk increases as you get older, especially after the age of 45.

• Race and Ethnicity: Certain racial and ethnic groups have a disproportionately higher risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, including African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

After conducting a study on 5 million U.S. adults, researchers found that prediabetes and diabetes are more prevalent among racial and ethnic minority groups. 

They also found that this exists even at lower body mass index (BMI) levels compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. This finding shows that even if you’re fit and healthy, you can still develop prediabetes due to genetics.

Routine screenings are key to preventing prediabetes and diabetes. If you're concerned or anxious about your first visit, our guide on how to have a great doctor's appointment can help ease your mind.

Read our helpful guide here!

How to Know If You Have Prediabetes

Prediabetes is often called a silent condition because many people experience no noticeable symptoms. You could have the condition for years and not know it, which is why regular screenings are so important.

However, in some cases, a few subtle prediabetes signs may appear. You should look for symptoms such as:

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination

• Increased hunger

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue

Taking Action: Assessing Your Personal Risk

If you’re experiencing some of these signs and still wonder, “Am I at risk for prediabetes?” Try taking a Prediabetes Risk Test, a free and confidential online tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This simple, 1-minute test asks a few key questions about your lifestyle, family history, and other factors to give you an immediate score and an idea of your personal risk level.  

While it's not a diagnosis, it's a great first step to start a conversation with your doctor about getting a blood test.

Moving Past the Prediabetes Signs

Receiving a prediabetes wake-up call doesn't mean you've reached a dead end. There are still steps you can take to slow down its progression.

Knowing the signs of prediabetes and your prediabetes risk factors is the first step. The next step is to read our blog post, “I Was Just Diagnosed With Diabetes, Now What?” 

We share actionable advice and valuable insights to help you manage your diagnosis and move forward with confidence.