Two different tests are used to find out whether you have pre-diabetes. The first one is the fasting plasma glucose test and the other the oral glucose tolerance test. The blood glucose levels revealed in these tests show whether your metabolism is fuctioning normally, or whether you have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

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A person with pre-diabetes has a fasting blood glucose level between 110 and 125 mg/dl. Anything over this indicates the onset of diabetes.

The oral glucose tolerance test measures a person’s blood glucose level after a fast and 2 hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If you are prediabetic, your blood glucose level will be between 140 and 199 mg/dl. Anything over this indicates the onset of diabetes.

If you are overweight and older than 45, you should be tested for this condition. In fact, anyone with a family history of diabetes, anyone who has high cholesterol, anyone who had gestational diabetes or is overweight or belongs to an ethnic group where diabetes is a problem, should consider regular testing for this condition. Even very obese children and teenagers have been found to be pre-diabetic.

Remember that it is quite possible to be pre-diabetic or diabetic and be unaware of it, as the onset of the symptoms is usually gradual. The symptoms include, frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, blurred vision and exhaustion.

For more information on care and support of diabetes visit Diabetes South Africa or phone them on 011 792 9888/7.
 

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