Prediabetic A1C level, Fasting, and Random Sugar Ranges

Prediabetic A1C level falls in the mid-ranges of a normal and diabetic person. Prediabetes is an intermediate condition when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

Scientifically prediabetes is defined as impaired fasting glucose (IFG), Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), or HbA1c levels ranging from 5.7 – 6.4.

Type 2 diabetes is almost always preceded by prediabetes but not all people with prediabetes will progress along the dysglycemic spectrum to develop diabetes.

90% of the people having prediabetes are unaware of it making it dangerous and even more difficult to handle.

However, appropriate treatment can not only prevent serious health problems but also get you back to normoglycemia.

People with prediabetes are equally at risk of developing diabetic complications like micro and macrovascular disease and CVD.

Are You at Risk of Developing Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a silent condition and it is difficult to access its risk among people because most prediabetic people do not experience any symptoms until they have progressed to type 2 diabetes.

The best way to detect prediabetes is regular screening and blood tests especially if you have other risk factors for developing the disease

The following are risk factors for prediabetes:

• Increased weight and a high waist circumference cause an excess of body fat which ultimately causes insulin resistance in the body and puts you at risk of developing prediabetes.
• A waist circumference of 35+ in women and 40+ inches in men is highly linked to the development of prediabetes.
• Consuming high amounts of processed foods, high fat and high sugar foods also raises the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
• Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle lead to weight gain and obesity which ultimately leads to insulin resistance and the development of prediabetes.
• Family history and genetic factors also predispose you to prediabetes and diabetes.

Pre-diabetes risk is increased by health conditions such as:

• Gestational diabetes (for both the mother and the child),
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• High LDL levels
• High TGL levels
• High Blood Pressure

Normal Blood Glucose levels vs. Glucose levels in Prediabetes

The glucose levels in prediabetes are neither similar to normal nor to the levels while having diabetes. It is an intermediate stage that defines the risk of developing diabetes in near future.

Prediabetic A1c Level:

HbA1c or glycosylated hemoglobin type A1c is a blood test that determines the percentage of sugar attached to one hemoglobin molecule.

The higher the value of HbA1c, the higher your blood sugar levels for the past 3 months.

HbA1c is also known as:

• A1c hemoglobin test
• HbA1c blood test
• glycosylated hemoglobin analysis

A1c levels for normal, prediabetes, and diabetes are:

Prediabetes and Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test is a blood test that is administered after you have fasted overnight. It measures the amount of sugar in your blood.

Normal fasting glucose levels are less than 100 mg/dL. A result of 100 to 125 mg/dL is indicative of prediabetes. A level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

If your result is 126 mg/dL or higher, you will be retested to confirm the diagnosis on another day.

Prediabetes and Random Plasma Glucose (RPG)

Random blood glucose (RPG) test is a blood test that is performed whenever you are not fasting. It measures the amount of sugar in your blood at that precise moment.

An RPG result of more than 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes, especially if you have diabetes symptoms such as excessive thirst, hunger, or urination.

If your level is higher, your doctor will confirm the diagnosis with one of the other tests listed.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

The oral glucose tolerance test measures the body’s response to sugar. It takes slightly longer than the other tests because, in this test, a blood sample is drawn after an overnight fast and then again 2 hours after drinking a sugar drink.

You will be in the prediabetic stage if your sugar levels are between 140-199 mg/dl and diabetic if they are above 200 mg/dL

How to Prevent Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is not a disease in itself, it is just a warning sign which can be delayed and even prevented. This can be accomplished by:

• Losing weight if you are overweight.
• Eating a healthy and nutritious diet
• Exercising on a regular basis for at least 40-90 minutes.

The longer you have prediabetes, the more health complications you may face. That is why it is important to do preventive measures in time because even delaying the onset of the disease can benefit your health and improve your quality of life.