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Signs & Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is indicated by blood glucose levels that are consistently higher than average. As time goes on, these higher-than-normal blood sugar levels rise, until they are high enough to qualify as diabetes. While most pre-diabetics do not experience symptoms, there are several warning signs that can predict pre-diabetes.

  1. Gestational Diabetes

    • Women who experienced blood sugar levels during pregnancy that were high enough to require treatment for gestational diabetes are at increased risk for pre-diabetes.

    Lifestyle

    • Individuals who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to have pre-diabetic blood sugar levels.

    Ethnicity

    • Certain races are more prone to high blood sugar than others. Individuals that have African, Native American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Island ethnic heritage have a tendency toward high blood glucose levels, and should be tested regularly.

    Family

    • Diabetes is an inherited condition, so individuals with close family members who have diabetes are frequently diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

    Skin

    • A visible sign that an individual is at risk for pre-diabetes is the presence of a certain type of skin in the neck or armpits. The skin that predicts pre-diabetes is thick, dark, and velvety.

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