What Does Prediabetes Mean?

The CGM Blog

Part of type 2 diabetes prevention is early detection. A prediabetes diagnosis is one of the ways medical professionals help guide individuals towards taking measures to ensure that they don’t develop type 2 diabetes.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with prediabetes, you’re not alone. Just over 6% of Canadians are living with prediabetes. Prediabetes is an important diagnosis because it gives you the opportunity to make the lifestyle changes necessary that could lead to potentially preventing type 2 diabetes.

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes, also called borderline diabetes, is a health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. If left untreated, prediabetes can progress into type 2 diabetes.² It happens when the body can’t effectively absorb sugar, also called glucose, from the bloodstream into cells to use for energy. This results in higher levels of glucose in the blood, which means the body isn’t getting the fuel it needs to operate properly.³

Typically, prediabetes doesn’t have any signs or symptoms as blood sugar levels are not yet high enough to cause acute symptoms, although long-term damage may be starting.⁴ Diabetes Canada recommends that people over 40 years old get screened for diabetes every three years.5 Prediabetes is diagnosed with a blood test from your doctor. They will administer either an A1C test or a fasting plasma glucose test.6 If diagnosed with Prediabetes, it is recommended to be rescreened more often.⁵

What’s the Difference Between Prediabetes and Diabetes?

Being diagnosed with prediabetes means that the body’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal and that diabetes could develop if steps aren’t taken to reduce blood glucose levels.

It can be helpful to understand a little bit more about what the different types of diabetes are and how they relate to prediabetes. Prediabetes precedes type 2 diabetes and does not lead to type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by an autoimmune event that destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This means that those living with T1D don’t produce any insulin at all, requiring them to take insulin injections or use an insulin pump.⁷

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) develops over time as cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin, also known as insulin resistance.⁸ As insulin resistance increases, the pancreas must produce more and more insulin to lower blood glucose, and eventually, the pancreas isn’t able to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.⁹ Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to enter into our cells so that we can use it for fuel. When there are complications with insulin, the body can’t get the energy it needs to function properly.

Medical professionals can look at your blood sugar levels to see how likely you are to be diagnosed with diabetes in the future. Unlike T1D, which is a permanent condition, you can take steps to treat prediabetes and prevent it from becoming T2D with the help of a few lifestyle changes.¹⁰

What Causes Prediabetes?

Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle. Several factors outside of one’s control may contribute to prediabetes and T2D, some of which include⁵:

Having a family history of diabetes.
Being a member of a high-risk population. For example, members of the Indigenous community are at greater risk for diabetes.
Having had gestational diabetes while you were pregnant.
Other risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and smoking.

Social stigma has created some negativity around diabetes that can have an impact on how individuals living with diabetes see themselves. But a T2D diagnosis isn’t anything to be ashamed of. A combination of many factors come together to result in T2D, and a diagnosis is not your fault. It’s important to note that systemic issues are also linked to increased risk of diabetes. People living on a low income are more likely to develop diabetes, particularly women. People who are unable to work are also at greater risk.¹¹

What to Do if You’ve Been Diagnosed with Prediabetes

A prediabetes diagnosis can be an emotional experience, but know that this is an important time to prioritize your health. Now that you’re aware of what’s happening in your body, you can take action to care for yourself.

The first step is to talk to your healthcare provider about the best route forward for you. Prediabetes affects everyone differently and your prediabetes management plan can include lifestyle changes that work best for your body to support your overall health. Reversing prediabetes requires you to lower your blood sugar levels. Some of the changes that you might want to discuss with your healthcare provider include:²

Nutrition: There is no one-size-fits-all diet that people living with prediabetes should be prescribed, but nutrition plays a major role in preventing prediabetes from turning into T2D.¹² Creating a diet plan with a professional can help you determine which foods you should be eating to manage prediabetes.

Exercise: When combined with diet modifications, physical activity can help reduce the progression of prediabetes and prevent T2D.¹³ It has also been shown to boost absorption of glucose.⁹ In fact, during exercise, glucose can move right from the blood into your body’s cells without the help of insulin. Exercising can also improve insulin sensitivity for up to 48 hours.¹⁴

Managing Weight: While weight is just one factor that may contribute to the development of T2D, weight loss has been associated with reducing the risk of diabetes as fat in the body may increase insulin resistance.15 Interestingly, a weight loss goal of 5 to 15% body weight has been shown to have significant health benefits.¹² Discuss with your doctor the role weight might play in your health. Sticking to a nutrition and exercise plan can help you along your weight-loss journey.¹²

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-Being

Living with prediabetes doesn’t necessarily mean it will progress into T2D. However, if you’re curious about the options available for supporting T2D management, learn how Dexcom G6 can change how you live with diabetes.

Recently diagnosed with diabetes? Learn more about ways you can confidently navigate your diabetes management journey.

Read the blog post

* For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
† Back of upper arm wear is available for users 18 years and older.

1 Diabetes in Canada: Backgrounder. Diabetes Canada. February 2020. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Advocacy-and-Policy/Backgrounder/2020_Backgrounder_Canada_English_FINAL.pdf
2 Prediabetes. Diabetes Canada. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/recently-diagnosed/prediabetes-toolkit
3 Prediabetes. Diatribe. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://diatribe.org/prediabetes
4 Prediabetes: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. March 17, 2022. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355278
5 Ekoe JM, et al. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Screening for Diabetes in Adults. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1):S88-S103. Updated 2021. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://guidelines.diabetes.ca/cpg/chapter4
6 Prediabetes. Cleveland Clinic. Updated March 25, 2021. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21498-prediabetes
7 Type 1 treatment. Diabetes Canada. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/en-CA/about-diabetes/type-1/treatment
8 Understanding Insulin Resistance. American Diabetes Association. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/insulin-resistance
9 Type 2 diabetes - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. January 20, 2021. Accessed May 14, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193
10 Sallar A, et al. Regression from prediabetes to normal glucose regulation: State of the science. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2020;245(10):889-896. doi: 10.1177/1535370220915644
11 Infographic: Inequalities in diabetes in Canada. Government of Canada. 2019. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/science-research-data/inequalities-diabetes-infographic.html
12 Evert AB, et al. Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report. Diabetes Care. May 1, 2019;42(5):731–754. doi: 10.2337/dci19-0014
13 Jadhav, R. A., et al. Effect of Physical Activity Intervention in Prediabetes: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2017:14(9); 745-755. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2016-0632
14 Sylow, L., et al. Exercise-stimulated glucose uptake — regulation and implications for glycaemic control. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017:13;133–148. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2016.162
15 Magkos, F., Hjorth, M.F. & Astrup, A. Diet and exercise in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2020:16;545–555. doi: 10.1038/s41574-020-0381-5