1. Higher than normal blood glucose levels
Prediabetes is characterized by higher than normal blood glucose levels, often in the range of 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter for fasting glucose and between 5.7 and 6.4 percent for hemoglobin A1C. This condition is also known as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG).
2. Unexplained fatigue
People with prediabetes often have insulin resistance, meaning their bodies cannot efficiently convert blood glucose into energy, leading to unexplained fatigue. This fatigue can occur even without physical exertion.
3. Slow wound healing
People with prediabetes may experience slow wound healing. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the walls of small blood vessels, reducing blood flow and, consequently, slowing healing.
4. Unexplained mood swings
High blood glucose levels in the brain can make a person more anxious, irritable, angry, and unable to concentrate. These mood changes may improve when blood sugar levels return to normal.
5. Hunger and weight gain
Persistently high blood sugar makes weight loss difficult, a key factor in managing prediabetes. Insulin resistance makes it hard for cells to absorb glucose from the blood, leading to sugar buildup and increased hunger. As a result, the body stores excess sugar as fat.
6. Frequent urination and excessive thirst
When the body has excess glucose, the kidneys cannot reabsorb all the sugar and return it to the bloodstream. As a result, sugar leaves the body through urine, increasing the frequency of urination and causing excessive thirst.
