Understanding Prediabetes: Risks, Complications & How Your Provider Can Help
You may have heard the term prediabetes before but what does it actually mean, and why should you pay attention to it?
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. This early warning system indicates to you and your provider that something needs to be addressed. It is more common than you would think. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes, and most don’t even know it.
The good news? With the right support, prediabetes can be managed—and even reversed.
factors that increase your risk
Several factors can raise your chances of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Some you can’t change, and others you can take steps to manage. You may at higher risk if you:
Are age 45 or older
Have a family history of diabetes
Are overweight or carry excess belly fat
Live a sedentary lifestyle (little or no regular physical activity)
Have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
Are part of certain ethnic groups, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Asian American populations
Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Without early detection and action, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes rather quickly. At this point it can start to affect nearly every part of the body over time. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to several chronic conditions.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
One of the most common liver complications in people with diabetes is NAFLD which is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver. It is not caused by alcohol but is closely linked to insulin resistance and obesity. If left untreated, it can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), or even cirrhosis. Over time, high blood sugar and insulin resistance can put extra stress on the liver and starts to affect the liver’s functions.
Your liver plays a central role in managing blood sugar. It stores and releases glucose as needed. But when you have diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, that balance can break down. Over time, that extra stress can make it more challenging for the liver to perform it’s most basic functions.
increased risk for stroke & heart disease
Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar, it impacts your entire cardiovascular system. In fact, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than those without it. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can cause other health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides. These conditions damage the lining of your blood vessels, make arteries narrower and stiffer, and reduce healthy blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs.
This damage sets the stage for atherosclerosis—a buildup of plaque that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
connections between colorectal cancer & increased Insulin
Research has found that higher levels of insulin seems to be correlated with the growth of tumor cells. Those who are type 2 diabetic also have a higher chance of developing Colorectal cancer (CRC) which is the third most common type of cancer that is diagnosed in the United States. It is recommended to get a screening for CRC if you are over 45 and even younger if you are diabetic.
how we can help
You don’t have to navigate prediabetes alone. We can play a key role in helping you prevent or delay diabetes and stay on top of your overall health. All adults 35 years and older should start with routine screening with simple blood test, such as fasting glucose, A1C, or an oral glucose tolerance test, which can detect prediabetes before symptoms appear. Additionally, it is important to check your kidney health and cancer status by testing for glucose and screening for CRC, combined with eGFR and uACR testing.
Prediabetes is a chance to make positive changes before complications set in. With support and guidance from a healthcare provider, you can improve your health and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Concerned about your risk? Ask us about getting screened. At ADAPS Healthcare, we’re here to support your journey to better health—one step at a time.
Reference: LapCorp - Preparation, prevention: Screening for prediabetes before it gets worse
