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The Question
08/16/09 02:00 AM

"I'm confused about the terminology reversible and holding off diabetes. I read conflicting info regarding pre-diabetes. Which is it?"
Asked By: dgilbert33  
Category: Prediabetes

Background Info Hide
I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes but I was not told to fast for the blood test. I thought my blood was just being tested for potassium level and I drank coffee and such with sugar. So I don't know if I really am pre-diabetic. But I get confused when I read that this can be reversed through changing diet and exercise. Then I read that you can hold off a diagnosis of diabetes. So what is the answer?

Expert Answers (1)

08/23/09 11:42 PM

To diagnose prediabetes, you do need to be fasting. If you were not fasting during your blood test, I would ask your clinician for a repeat test. A fasting blood sugar of 100-125 would be considered a diagnosis of prediabetes. Diabetes and prediabetes are really a continuum of conditions that often begins with obesity. As we age, gain weight and become less physically active we are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The diabetes prevention program (DPP) study showed that diabetes can be delayed or prevented by 58% if you lose 5-7% of your weight by eating a diet low in fat and reduced calories and exercising a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Recent CDC treatment guidelines for prediabetes suggest starting Metformin if the lifestyle changes are not effective. For your information, there are new guidelines being suggested for diagnosing diabetes. If these guidelines are adopted, we will be using the A1c test to diagnose diabetes. An A1c of 6.5 or greater would be a diagnosis of diabetes. An A1c of 6.0-6.4 would be considered at high risk for developing diabetes. Unfortunately prediabetes is not an exact science and the rate of progression to diabetes will vary among individuals. Have you attended a class on prediabetes? Many diabetes centers offer classes on the physiology of prediabetes and review behavior changes to help prolong the progression. Many people with prediabetes will progress to diabetes, but that does not mean it is inevitable! The first step, however, is to conform your diagnosis. Good luck!
Answered By: Deborah Greenwood
Accreditations: MEd, CNS, BC-ADM, CDE
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Community Answers (1)

08/19/09 07:21 PM

First when they mean reversible they mean get it in control. The underlying problem is still there it just would be dormant. Holding off means holding it at bay by eating healthy and exercising doing just what a diabetic would do. Prediabetes is any reading over 100 to 125 and anything over 126 means diabetes is dx. So the best thing to do is what we all need to do no matter diabetic or not eat right and exercise.
Answered By: furball64801
FLAG
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*** All information contained on dLife.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our Expert Q&A is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional or for professional medical advice related to diabetes or another medical condition. Please contact your physician or medical professional with any questions and concerns about your medical condition.

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