Pre-Diabetes – Part 1 - Health Plus Digest

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects the regulation of glucose in the blood stream and the use of glucose in the cells for energy. Without glucose the metabolic process of providing energy changes and the body begins to burn fat and protein for which insulin, the primary hormone regulating glucose metabolism, is not required. (1)

There are two types of Diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2 – but it is only in Type 2 Diabetes that there is some warning, or pre-diabetes, that the condition is imminent. In Type 2 Diabetes the individual often has some pre-disposing factors and possibly some genetic factors. The process is generally gradual and occurs when the cells of the body become resistant to the insulin that is being produced. In other words, the body continues to produce insulin, in greater and greater amounts, but the cells no longer are able to utilize it.

Before developing Type 2 Diabetes, most people have a condition referred to as “pre-diabetes” where the blood glucose is at higher than normal levels but not yet high enough to cause severe symptoms or be diagnosed as Diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates that there are over 18 million people in the U.S. who have Diabetes and 57 million who have pre-diabetes. (2) More importantly, recent research has identified specific changes in the body that begin to cause long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system. (3)

Because people with Diabetes often fall into risk groups, or those individuals who have a higher probability of developing diabetes, those who have pre-diabetes have the same risk factors. Diabetes is more common among those who are overweight, have diabetes in their immediate family or belong to certain populations, such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asian Americans.

There are two different tests that can be used to determine if high blood sugar is a problem that should be addressed. These tests should be ordered if the individual has underlying risk factors. The first test is a fasting plasma glucose test. This measures the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood stream after not having eaten for at least 12 hours. If the glucose is high after fasting then the doctor determines that you have impaired fasting glucose. (4)

References:

(1) Diabetes UK: What is Diabetes?

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/What_is_diabetes/

(2) American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Statistics

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

(3) Kids Health: Long-Term Complications of Diabetes

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diabetes_center/basics/complications.html

(4) The New England Journal of Medicine: Normal Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels and Type 2 Diabetes in Young Men

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa050080

(5) MedlinePlus: Glucose Tolerance Test

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003466.htm

(6) American Diabetes Association: Prediabetes FAQ