What is Pre-diabetes?
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In Pre-Diabetes, your blood sugar is raised beyond the normal range but not so high that you have type 2 diabetes. It is also sometimes known by the rather longer name of 'non-diabetic hyperglycemia'.
Some people - not all - will progress to diabetes. While you are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future, this doesn't mean you will definitely develop type 2 diabetes. There are several things you can do to help decrease this risk. Pre-Diabetes is defined as a Hba1c (the standard diabetes blood test) of 42 or more. To be diabetic the result is 48 or more. |
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What do I need to do?
We recommend you sign up to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This is a series of education sessions offered for free by the NHS to help you make the changes you need to prevent you becoming diabetic. Since the COVID pandemic landed the course has been held remotely. We have had many patients complete the course and the feedback is invariably excellent.
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Step 1: Know Your Risk
Diabetes UK works with the NHS to provide an excellent risk calculator. If your results show you are at moderate or high risk, you will be eligible to self-refer for a free place on Healthier You - the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. Click the image to find out more. |
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Step 2: Manage Your Weight
Being overweight increases your risk of type 2 diabetes. Losing just 5% of your body weight can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Making healthier food choices or being more active can be positive changes to help you lose weight.
Step 3: Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
There is no 'pre-diabetes diet', but there are several diets that have been associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.:
Step 4: Be More Active
Spending a lot of time sat down is associated with a increased risk of type 2 diabetes. A few small changes can help decrease your risk, such as going for walks, taking the stairs or taking phone calls stood up.
Diabetes UK has lots more helpful information on how to decrease your risk, including exercise tips and healthy recipes.
Being overweight increases your risk of type 2 diabetes. Losing just 5% of your body weight can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Making healthier food choices or being more active can be positive changes to help you lose weight.
Step 3: Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
There is no 'pre-diabetes diet', but there are several diets that have been associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.:
- Mediterranean diet
- Vegan and vegetarian diets
- Nordic diet
Step 4: Be More Active
Spending a lot of time sat down is associated with a increased risk of type 2 diabetes. A few small changes can help decrease your risk, such as going for walks, taking the stairs or taking phone calls stood up.
Diabetes UK has lots more helpful information on how to decrease your risk, including exercise tips and healthy recipes.
What does Pioneer offer me?
Because you are at risk of becoming diabetic we will offer you a diabetes blood test once a year. Please try and time this around your birthday - to help you remember. You don't need to speak to a GP. Just book in. The test doesn't need to be any more often than once a year. Unless you have been asked to re-test by a Pioneer clinician we will politely decline to re-test more frequently than once a year. There really is no need.
