Oct 30 2008
Diabetes vs. Pre-Diabetes
A friend of mine recently was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I’d been wondering in days previous what exactly it means to be pre-diabetic and how does it differ from mild diabetes. After talking to him and checking around on the internet, I got some answers.
If you have a blood glucose level of 80-100 or below after 12 hours of fasting, you’re normal. Above 125, and you’re most certainly diabetic. In between those numbers is the murky land of pre-diabetes.
What being pre-diabetic means is that your body is signaling the warning that you may be headed for real live diabetes and that some damage may already be occurring because of it. It’s a serious enough condition that it requires some life changes. It’s unlikely your doctor would diagnose medication for it but it’s enough that you should pay attention.
The treatment is much the same for mild diabetes: exercise, hydrate, 45-60g of carbs per meal and regular meals with snacks to keep your body on an even keel. Pre-diabetics might not be advised to monitor their blood sugar daily, instead checking in with their doctor at regular intervals.
In truth, unless medication is involved, there’s little difference between the diets and regimens of diabetics, pre-diabetics and people just trying to stay healthy on a low carb diet.
I’m glad my friend found out about his condition when he did. It’s not pleasant news, but it’s better than it could be. It’s estimated that as much as 57 million people fall into the pre-diabetic category and with only a little adjustment, they could minimize the risks and impact of the condition on their lives.
But first, you have to know.
So if you don’t know… ask you doctor next time you’re in their office. Knowing you’re pre-diabetic may bite, but it’s better than finding out you’re straight up diabetic. And both are better than going undiagnosed, only finding out once the damage is done.
