Could I Have Pre-diabetes and Not Know It?

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on your metabolic health. Many people live with high blood sugar without experiencing any obvious symptoms.

At Comprehensive Primary Care in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, and Snellville, Georgia, Dr. Rekha Kesavan and our team provide comprehensive preventive healthcare to catch metabolic issues early. 

Here’s what they want you to know about prediabetes.

What is prediabetes, and why is it silent? 

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This condition is almost always silent, meaning it does not cause noticeable physical symptoms.

An estimated 115.2 million US adults have prediabetes, but only 19.8% of them know they have it. This low awareness stems from insulin resistance developing gradually. Your pancreas works overtime to keep blood sugar stable, masking the condition. 

Without routine screening, you might not know anything is wrong until the condition progresses.

Who should get screened for prediabetes?

Because prediabetes has no symptoms, screening is the only reliable way to find it. Your age and body weight are the primary triggers for a screening.

We always perform these screenings during your annual wellness exam using simple blood tests.

Symptoms of prediabetes

One possible sign of prediabetes is darkened skin in your armpit or on the back and sides of your neck.

Other early signs that indicate your prediabetes is turning into Type 2 diabetes include:

• Frequent peeing, which may be most noticeable at night
• Intense thirst
• Intense hunger, despite eating regularly
• Fatigue

A prediabetes diagnosis is not a permanent sentence. It is a highly modifiable state that you can actively reverse. And definitely should. 

How we help you reverse prediabetes 

Lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and increased physical activity, are cornerstones of any plan. 

Dietary changes

Go for whole foods and non-starchy vegetables, legumes (beans and lentils), lean proteins, and healthy fats (like olive oil and nuts). Increase dietary fiber daily to slow glucose absorption and prevent blood sugar spikes. 

Cut added sugars and refined carbs, and eliminate sugary sodas and heavily processed snacks.

Exercise

Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, or bicycling.

Lose weight

Losing as little as 5% to 7% of your body weight improves insulin sensitivity and cuts your risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by over 50%. 

Our team is here to support you at every step. We feature providers like Afsha Somani, FNP-C, CDE, who is a Certified Diabetes Educator. We also offer medically supervised weight loss treatment to help you make lasting, healthy changes.

This Diabetes Awareness Month, take a proactive step for your health. Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Please contact our team today or book an appointment online to schedule your preventative screening.