A 21-year-old member asked:
How is pre-diabetes different from diabetes?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Daniel Reinharthanswered
Internal Medicine 44 years experience
Definition: People with prediabetes have blood sugar levels higher than normal but lower than in diabetes. They have an elevated risk of developing diabetes, and also appear to have an elevated risk of certain diabetic-type complications such as heart attack.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Robert Kelleranswered
Emergency Medicine 41 years experience
A1C level: In pre-diabetes, enough Insulin is still being secreted to control the blood sugar level. But the pancreas is burning out. Typically, a blood test called A1c is between 5.5-6.5. In diabetes, the Insulin no longer can control the blood sugar and the A1c is above 6.5.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Jason Campbellanswered
Family Medicine 17 years experience
Blood Sugar: Pre-diabetes is defined as elevated blood sugars above normal but below the threshold for diagnosing as true diabetes. Some ranges place pre-diabetes as fasting blood sugars between 100-126. The american diabetes association reports that approximately 11% of pre-diabetics develop diabetes over the next 3 years and most will by approximately 10 years.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 4, 2020
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.