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Symptoms of Glucose Intolerance

Glucose intolerance is also known as pre-diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 57 million adults in the U.S. have pre-diabetes. People with this condition can prevent or delay the development of diabetes through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and shedding a few extra pounds.

  1. Symptoms

    • Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than average but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Pre-diabetes may not have any symptoms, but you should be on alert for the common warning signs of type 2 diabetes. These include frequent urination, increased hunger and thirst, fatigue and blurred vision. Wounds may be slow to heal, and you may be more susceptible to infections.

    Insulin Resistance

    • The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that insulin resistance may accompany pre-diabetes. This condition occurs when the body produces insulin but doesn't use it properly. In severe cases of insulin resistance, people may have dark patches of skin, usually on the back of the neck, or a dark ring around the neck. Dark patches also may develop under the arms or on the knees, knuckles or elbows.

    Testing

    • Since pre-diabetes is often without symptoms, you should be tested for it during your annual physical exam if you are age 45 and older and are overweight. If you have a blood glucose level that is above normal (over 100 milligrams per deciliter) but below the number that indicates diabetes (126 mg/dl or higher), you have pre-diabetes. You should then be tested for type 2 diabetes every one to two years.

      Your doctor also may recommend additional testing if you have other risk factors for diabetes such as high blood pressure, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, high triglycerides or a family history of diabetes.

    Diagnosis

    • Glucose intolerance can be diagnosed by an oral glucose tolerance test that measures your body's reaction to sugar. The test will be performed after an eight-hour fast. You will drink a sugar solution, and your blood will be tested about two hours later. A reading that indicates normal sugar processing will be 140 mg/dl or lower. A reading of 140 to 199 mg/dl indicates glucose intolerance.

    Medications

    • Medications may be an option if you are glucose-intolerant and at high risk of developing diabetes. Oral diabetic drugs to help your body process sugar better include metformin (Glucophage) and acarbose (Precose). Since people with pre-diabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat existing high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

    Lifestyle Changes

    • The American College of Endocrinology says that a diet low in fat and rich in fiber from whole grains, vegetables and fruits can help treat pre-diabetes. Try to get 30 minutes to one hour of moderate exercise such as brisk walking or swimming most days of the week. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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