The first step begins with awareness.

What is Borderline Diabetes?

Prediabetes (or borderline diabetes) is when the blood sugars are outside of the normal range but not in the range to diagnose type 2 diabetes.

The clinical name for this is called impaired fasting glucose.

Prediabetes or borderline diabetes is important because it serves as a warning sign. This is the time to make important adjustments in lifestyle. Or the risk of becoming a type 2 diabetic rises.

How is Prediabetes Diagnosed?

The fastest way to diagnose prediabetes is with a fasting blood sugar. I usually recommend an overnight fast of at least 8 hours and if possible up to 12 hours.

Normal blood glucose levels for diabetes are between 70-99 mg/dL. Essentially less than 100 mg/dL.

When the blood glucose level is between 100-125 mg/dL, this indicates prediabetes or borderline diabetes.

If the level is over 126 mg/dl this indicates type 2 diabetes.

Another test that can be used to diagnose prediabetes is called the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

This is a more detailed test. First, a fasting blood glucose level is performed. Once again an 8-12 hour fast is required.

Then you are given a very sweet liquid to drink. This is equivalent to 75 G glucose or the amount of sugar in a can of coke for instance.

Two hours after drinking this, another blood test is done. If this level is between than 140 and 199 mg/dL.

When the blood sugar level is over 200 mg/dL then this indicates type 2 diabetes.

Does Borderline Diabetes Have Any Symptoms?

There are no symptoms associated with borderline diabetes. So do not expect to have the common signs of diabetes.

What Are The Risks Associated With Prediabetes?

The main risk is developing type 2 diabetes. However people with prediabetes are at an increased risk for heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure.

Get more information about how diabetes and hypertension are linked.

Remember that the same risks that put you at risk for type 2 diabetes can also put you at risk for prediabetes.

What Can You Do To Prevent Prediabetes From Becoming Type 2 Diabetes?

Just as I pointed out earlier in the article, being diagnosed with prediabetes should serve as a warning signal to make adjustments in your lifestyle.

In other words it does not mean that inevitably you will become a type 2 diabetic.

Patients diagnosed with prediabetes should be closely monitored. This is one of the times that, with a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, progression to diabetes can be reversed.

The hallmark of successfully reversing prediabetes remains diet and exercise. If you are overweight or obese, commit to losing weight.

Just by losing 10% of your current body weight you could reverse these effects.

It is important to partner with your physician during this critical stage. By monitoring your blood tests, you and your physician are better aware of corrective action to take.

Sometimes your doctor may opt to put you on a medication called metformin. When this happens, many times patients may get confused because they don't quite understand why they are on a medication for diabetes even though they do not have diabetes. But research shows that metformin helps to reduce the probability of developing full-blown diabetes.

So the next time that you hear someone tell you that they were just diagnosed with prediabetes or borderline diabetes, do them a favor and educate them about it.

Let them know that this is the time to begin to make changes in their lifestyle.

Dr Eno Nsima-Obot is a board certified Internal Medicine as well as a trained life coach by an ICF accredited program. She brings over 15 years of experience to the health and wellness industry. Her passion for helping people living with diabetes experience a healthy life and avoid complications from this disease, motivated her to write a book on this issue. Written in an easy to read patient centered format, this book is bound to create a more empowered life for anyone currently living with diabetes. Download a copy of her FREE e-book Dr. Eno's Guide to Living Powerfully With http://askdoctoreno.com/powerfullivingdiabetes/free-ebook

By Eno A. Nsima-Obot, MD