You may feel completely well and still have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal.
That is one of the reasons prediabetes can be easy to miss. It often develops quietly, without obvious symptoms, and many people do not know they have it until routine blood work reveals a problem.
Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes. The good news is that identifying it early gives you an opportunity to make changes that may delay or prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.
Quick answer: Prediabetes usually does not cause clear symptoms. Risk may be higher if you are 35 or older, have overweight or obesity, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, have high blood pressure, had gestational diabetes, have polycystic ovary syndrome, or are physically inactive. A simple blood test can help determine whether your blood sugar is in the normal, prediabetes, or diabetes range.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are above the normal range but are not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The condition is common, but it is also an important opportunity for prevention.
Why Can Prediabetes Go Unnoticed?
Prediabetes often has no clear symptoms.
You may feel normal, have plenty of energy, and notice nothing unusual while your blood sugar gradually becomes higher.
This is why relying on symptoms alone is not enough.
The CDC notes that many adults with prediabetes do not know they have it.
For people with risk factors, routine screening can identify elevated blood sugar before type 2 diabetes develops.
What Are the Symptoms of Prediabetes?
Most people with prediabetes do not experience obvious symptoms.
If blood sugar rises further, symptoms more commonly associated with diabetes may begin to appear.
These can include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Unexplained weight changes
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or sores
These symptoms can have many different causes, so they should not be used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes on their own.
If you have noticed persistent thirst, frequent urination, or constant hunger, discuss the combination of symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Prediabetes?
Anyone can develop prediabetes, but certain factors increase the likelihood.
Risk factors can include:
- Being age 35 or older
- Having overweight or obesity
- Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically inactive
- Having high blood pressure
- Having abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Having had gestational diabetes
- Having previously delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Having certain conditions associated with insulin resistance
Some populations also experience higher rates of type 2 diabetes because of a combination of genetic, environmental, social, and healthcare-access factors.
When Should Adults Be Tested?
Screening recommendations vary slightly among professional organizations.
The American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Standards of Care recommend that testing begin no later than age 35 for adults generally.
Testing may be considered earlier in adults with overweight or obesity who also have one or more risk factors.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults aged 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Your healthcare provider may recommend earlier or more frequent screening based on your personal risk profile.
How Is Prediabetes Tested?
Several blood tests can be used.
Hemoglobin A1C
The A1C test estimates your average blood sugar over approximately the previous two to three months.
Common diagnostic ranges are:
- Normal: below 5.7%
- Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
- Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
Fasting Blood Glucose
This test measures blood sugar after you have not eaten for a specified period, typically overnight.
Common ranges are:
- Normal: below 100 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This test measures how your body processes glucose after you drink a measured glucose solution.
A two-hour glucose result of 140 to 199 mg/dL falls within the prediabetes range, while 200 mg/dL or higher may indicate diabetes.
A healthcare professional should interpret your results in context. In many situations, abnormal results may need confirmation with repeat testing unless symptoms and glucose levels clearly establish the diagnosis.
What Does an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% Mean?
An A1C in this range is considered consistent with prediabetes.
It does not mean that type 2 diabetes is inevitable.
Instead, it signals that your blood sugar regulation is becoming less effective and that this is an important time to address modifiable risk factors.
What Causes Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is closely linked to insulin resistance.
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from the bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
When cells become less responsive to insulin, the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate.
Over time, the pancreas may struggle to keep up, allowing blood glucose levels to rise.
Factors that may contribute include:
- Genetics
- Excess body weight, particularly around the abdomen
- Physical inactivity
- Age
- Sleep problems
- Certain medications
- Hormonal or metabolic conditions
Can Prediabetes Be Reversed?
Blood sugar levels can return to the normal range in some people with prediabetes.
More importantly, lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program has shown that structured lifestyle changes involving healthy eating, physical activity, and modest weight loss can substantially reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in people at increased risk.
The goal is not to pursue extreme changes.
Small, sustainable improvements can be meaningful.
1. Increase Physical Activity
Regular movement helps your muscles use glucose and can improve insulin sensitivity.
For many adults, a useful target is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, unless a healthcare professional recommends otherwise.
Activities can include:
- Brisk walking
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Gardening
- Exercise classes
If you have been inactive for a long time or have a medical condition, discuss a safe starting level with your provider.
2. Build More Balanced Meals
You do not need a special “prediabetes diet.”
A balanced eating pattern can emphasize:
- Vegetables
- Whole fruit
- Whole grains
- Beans and legumes
- Lean protein
- Fish
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy fats
It can also help to reduce frequent intake of sugar-sweetened drinks, highly refined carbohydrates, and heavily processed foods.
3. Work Toward a Healthy Weight if Appropriate
For adults with overweight or obesity, even modest weight loss may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce diabetes risk.
Weight management should be realistic and sustainable.
If your weight seems to increase despite eating less or making lifestyle changes, there may be additional factors worth discussing.
Read our article on why weight can increase even when you are eating less.
4. Protect Your Sleep
Sleep can influence appetite, metabolism, stress hormones, and insulin sensitivity.
Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night, with many adults functioning best closer to seven to nine hours.
If your sleep is consistently poor, read our guide on why sleep matters for overall health.
5. Manage Stress
Long-term stress can affect sleep, eating habits, physical activity, and other behaviors that influence metabolic health.
Helpful approaches may include:
- Regular activity
- Relaxation exercises
- Consistent sleep
- Taking breaks
- Spending time with supportive people
- Seeking professional support when needed
Learn more about how stress can affect your health.
6. Choose Water More Often
Sugar-sweetened drinks can add significant amounts of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate and calories.
Choosing water more often can be a simple change.
If you are unsure how much fluid you actually need, see our guide on how much water to drink each day.
7. Keep Up With Preventive Care
Prediabetes is easier to address when it is identified early.
Routine primary care can help monitor:
- Blood sugar
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Weight trends
- Medications
- Other cardiovascular risk factors
Our guide to health screenings for adults explains several other preventive tests that may be appropriate based on age and risk.
Does Prediabetes Always Turn Into Type 2 Diabetes?
No.
Prediabetes increases your risk, but progression is not inevitable.
Some people remain in the prediabetes range for years, some return to normal blood sugar levels, and others progress to type 2 diabetes.
Your risk depends on factors such as genetics, weight, physical activity, diet, sleep, age, medications, and other medical conditions.
How Often Should Prediabetes Be Rechecked?
The ADA recommends that people with prediabetes generally be tested for diabetes at least annually.
Your provider may recommend a different schedule depending on your results and overall risk.
Do not wait until the next routine test if you develop new symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or persistent blurred vision.
What Is the Link Between Prediabetes and Heart Health?
Prediabetes is not only about future diabetes risk.
It is also associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
That is why your provider may look at the bigger picture, including:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Smoking history
- Weight
- Physical activity
- Family history
Read our guide on 10 simple ways to keep your heart healthy.
When Should You See a Healthcare Provider?
Consider scheduling an appointment if:
- You are 35 or older and have not had your blood sugar checked
- You have overweight or obesity plus additional diabetes risk factors
- You have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- You previously had gestational diabetes
- You have PCOS
- You have persistent thirst or frequent urination
- You have unexplained weight changes
- You experience recurring blurred vision
- You have been told your blood sugar is elevated
Prediabetes Screening in Garland TX
Prediabetes is often silent, but it does not have to remain undetected.
A simple blood test can help determine whether your blood sugar is normal, in the prediabetes range, or high enough to require further evaluation.
At Medicus Health Clinics, our primary care and internal medicine team can review your individual risk factors, discuss appropriate screening, explain your results, and help you plan practical next steps.
Schedule your appointment: Book an appointment with Medicus Health Clinics in Garland, TX.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have prediabetes without symptoms?
Yes. Prediabetes often causes no obvious symptoms, which is why screening is important for people with risk factors.
What A1C level means prediabetes?
An A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% falls within the prediabetes range. An A1C of 6.5% or higher may indicate diabetes and generally requires appropriate confirmation and clinical evaluation.
Can prediabetes go away?
Blood sugar can return to the normal range for some people. Lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, improved sleep, and modest weight loss when appropriate can reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
How often should I be tested if I have prediabetes?
Current ADA guidance generally recommends testing people with prediabetes at least once each year, although your provider may recommend a different schedule based on individual risk.
Is prediabetes the same as diabetes?
No. Prediabetes means blood sugar is higher than normal but below the threshold used to diagnose diabetes.