Prediabetes is a phase in person’s life during which his blood sugars are not high enough to label him as a diabetic, but at the same time, not low enough to label him as normal, non-diabetic. These people are at high risk of developing diabetes in the future.
Diabetes is diagnosed if fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg% or more and/or post 75 gm oral glucose challenge plasma glucose of 200 mg% or more, and or random [anytime] plasma glucose of 200 mg% or more if associated with classical symptoms of diabetes such as excessive urination and thirst, weight loss, etc. In addition, HbA1c of 6.5% or above is diagnostic of diabetes. While HbA1c between 5.7-6.5% is diagnostic of prediabetes. Anyone of above mentioned four criteria is sufficient for the diagnosis of diabetes. In those whose sugars are in the above-mentioned range but devoid of any symptoms of diabetes, repeat the tests and confirm the diagnosis of diabetes if repeat values qualify for the same. In a non-diabetic person, fasting plasma glucose is less than 100 mg% and post 75 gm glucose challenge value is less than 140 mg%.
Prediabetes Is Diagnosed In The Following Situations
• Fasting plasma glucose is between 100-125 mg%, i.e. not high enough for the diagnosis of diabetes, but not low enough to qualify in the normal range; and two hours post glucose challenge plasma is in the normal range, [