How do I prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes?

Written by Lucia Mueller | Reviewed by a licensed U.S. pharmacist | Posted noviembre 11, 2019 | Updated febrero 16, 2023

Over 100 million American adults have either prediabetes or diabetes, but according to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, a prediabetes diagnosis does not have to equal a future with type 2. Only around 25% of people with prediabetes develop type 2 within 3-5 years after a diagnosis.

The majority of adults with prediabetes 1) don’t even realize they have it (we’re talking 90% of people), and 2) won’t have to deal with the stress of a full-blown type 2 diagnosis. This post will explore how you can be one of them.

What is prediabetes?

First things first. What is prediabetes exactly? Well, prediabetes means your blood glucose (also referred to as blood sugar) levels are higher than normal.

Insulin is the hormone made by your pancreas that acts as the gatekeeper for blood sugar used in cells as energy. If you have prediabetes, the cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin, and your pancreas is generating more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Ultimately, your pancreas gets exhausted: it can’t keep up and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for type 2 diabetes in your future. In addition to or as a result of having type 2, a prediabetes diagnosis can put you at increased risk of heart disease or stroke.

Now, prediabetes can occur for years despite expressing clear symptoms, so it often goes undetected until serious health problems show up. It’s important to get your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for prediabetes listed below. Your doctor may also conduct an A1C blood test. This test provides information about average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.

Risk Factors for Prediabetes

•    Your doctor says you are overweight •    You have either a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes •    You’ve had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) •    You’ve given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds •    You have polycystic ovary syndrome

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the ranges for the results of a fasting blood sugar test are:

•    Normal = between 70 and 99 mg per dL •    Prediabetes = between 100 and 125 mg per dL •    Diabetes = higher than 126 mg per dL

Results of an A1C Blood Test for Prediabetes per the ADA:

•    Normal = below 5.7% •    Prediabetes = between 5.7% and 6.4% •    Diabetes = 6.5% or higher

Back to Top

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

So, a prediabetes diagnosis is the warning shot, an important wakeup call to evaluate daily habits so you can work toward a more mindful, healthier you. Receiving such news can be paralyzing, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Take a deep breath, set realistic mini-objectives to your goal, and you can prevent this disease from escalating any further.

Below are some tips to prevent your diagnosis from advancing to type 2.

1.    Change Your Diet and Exercise Habits

This may be irritating, but we’re going to regurgitate the tired advice you’ve probably heard forever: diet and exercise. A diet high in fiber, grains, and vegetables, as well as a regular exercise routine, can help reverse a prediabetes diagnosis. If you have prediabetes, losing a small amount of weight (5-7% of your body weight) if you’re overweight and getting regular physical activity can really help lower your risk of type 2. But how is it possible to actually commit this time? Here are some tips for sticking to your diet and fitness goals:

Tips for Committing to Diet & Exercise

There is also a lifestyle change program offered through the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program that can help people commit to a change. The program boasts that people can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% (71% if you’re over age 60).

Find a Local Diabetes Prevention Program

2.    Try Metformin: Recommended Medication for Prediabetes

For people who are at very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes after being diagnosed with prediabetes, your health care provider may recommend medication. The American Diabetes Association notes that metformin should be the only medication used to prevent type 2.

Metformin is generally a very inexpensive medication in the U.S., especially when purchased with a free discount card. With a U.S. Prescription Discount Card, the U.S price is far cheaper than in Canada and many other countries.

Back to Top

Groan. We’ve heard it all before, but, as stated earlier, your diet is important, and you need to know the right kind of foods to eat to get your prediabetes under control.

For folks with prediabetes, sugar from food has begun to build up in your bloodstream because insulin can’t easily move it into your cells. No, this doesn’t equal no carbs, but it does mean you should be mindful and limit the amount and type of carbohydrates consumed in each meal. It’s very important that you consider cutting out sugary and alcoholic drinks as well. If your diet is full of refined and processed carbs, that can unfortunately result in spikes in blood sugar. Your body now has a difficult time lowering blood sugar levels after meals so avoiding carbs will help lessen those blood sugar spikes.

The glycemic index (GI) is a tool you can use to determine how a particular food could affect your blood sugar. Food that is low on the GI is best for your blood sugar.

Prediabetic Food Recommendations

•    Steel-cut oats (not instant oatmeal) •    Stone-ground whole wheat bread •    Whole-grain breads •    Whole grains such as quinoa or barley •    Whole grain cereals •    Whole wheat pasta •    Nonstarchy vegetables •    Beans •    Sweet potatoes •    Corn •    Pasta (preferably whole wheat) •    Beans and legumes •    Fruits and vegetables that have edible skin •    Chicken without skin •    Egg substitute or egg whites •    Beans and legumes •    Soybean products such as tofu and tempeh •    Fish, such as cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, tuna, or trout •    Lean beef cuts, such as flank steak, ground round, tenderloin, and roast with fat trimmed •    Shellfish, such as crab, lobster, shrimp, or scallops •    Turkey without skin •    Low-fat Greek yogurt

Additionally, you should be mindful of your caloric intake. Portion control can be critical to keeping your diet on the low GI. When people eat more calories than their body needs, those calories get stored as fat, which can cause weight gain. Body fat around the belly is linked to insulin resistance and explains why many people with prediabetes are also overweight.

Back to Top

Read more about saving money on meds on Ask PharmacyChecker

How can patients deal with drug price increases?

Why are drug prices so different at different pharmacies?

How do I know an online pharmacy is legitimate and safe?

Do you have questions or concerns about diabetes medications? We’re here to help.

Comment below or ask a question by logging in to My PharmacyChecker.

Back to Top

Compare drug prices among reputable online pharmacies

Comments
Sign in below and start the conversation!
Login or Register to Comment
PharmacyChecker uses cookies to track & improve your online experience.
Reviews
PharmacyChecker Reviews
×
Click stars to rate
Please select a rating for the review
Please enter title for the review.
Please enter content for the review.
Please enter at least 100 characters.
Please enter a date of experience before submitting.
Please enter your first name and last name.
Only letters allowed for first name and last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Submit your review Processing...
Success! Thank you for submitting your review.
Back to reviews
Sylvia S.on Nov 6, 2022

I apologize to be writing on the review page
I am a pensioner, from South Africa. I'm looking for the best price for Xarelto. The state hospital prescribed Warfarin. I am totally allergic to warfarin

Please can you advise which is affordable to a pensioner.

Regards

Date of experience: November 6, 2022

Gretchen J.on Oct 17, 2021

Simplest and easiest site ever I had so much anxiety first being diagnosed with cancer and then getting on this medication I was not able to afford the real medication I could only get the generic so I came online and I found Canadian pharmacy store. Com, which made that medicine very affordable for me to purchase in a couple of easy steps also The chat with Marilyn S. Answered all my questions from who is the manufacture of my medication's to my prescription size and shipping time just everything thank you so much

Date of experience: October 15, 2021

James H.on Mar 11, 2021

We just ordered for my 90 year-old Mom. In the U.S. generics are not always available. So using PharmacyChecker we felt that its member pharmacy vendors were vetted. This reassurance of reliability took much of the guess work out of our shopping task.

Date of experience: March 10, 2021

Sandra S.on Dec 10, 2020

Always nice every time I have called or placed an order that I needed to check on. Thank you for all you do. Rick you made it so easy In the beginning of the relationship between us for me to stay with you.

Date of experience: December 9, 2020

George C.on Dec 9, 2020

This website provides very helpful information on ordering medications from non-U.S. Sources. We save 50% to 60% on name brand meds that are not available in generic forms in the U.S. We have saved thousands over the years.

Date of experience: December 8, 2020

Rod L.on Dec 8, 2020

I feel safe ordering from a pharmaceutical company outside of the U S because the prescription I am using is exactly the same as those sold in the U S, however, the price is totally different. What I had paid in the U S for 90 pills listed at almost $500. For which I have been paying $72. From a Canadian company for 5 or 6 years now, the price includes shipping and is sometimes negotiable.

Date of experience: December 7, 2020

J M.on Sep 29, 2020

This happens to be a very good pharmacy that delivers name brand meds at a reasonable price. All of the meds that I have purchased through this pharmacy have been the exact product my doctor listed. All of the products were labeled with original manufacturer's identity and location with date of manufacture and expiration. I am certainly glad that I found this pharmacy. Great job.

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Jerry M.on Sep 29, 2020

I recommend it to many people. It sure saved us a lot and we learned a lot. The discount card saved us, too at Kroger.

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Michael B.on Sep 2, 2020

I have been able to source several meds, at 10% of the american pharma cost. I have no doubt that I bought them where american pharma buys them, and then rapes the public. Thank you p checker

Date of experience: September 2, 2020

IWANT N.on Aug 20, 2020

I am happy to see the entities that are endorsed by you. But I did have a horrendous experience with Canadian Pharmacy with my latest order. After switching the location from which my order was to be chipped, the order was and still is being held by US Customs. They did give me a replacement order which I finally did receive but that order was submitted MUCH later than it should have been. Bottom line, I waited OVER THREE MONTHS for my med to finally be delivered and that cost me more money to piece meal samples from my doc and out of pocket for short term needs. And, the order I did receive cost me MORE for FEWER tablets. I know Covid-19 played a part in this fiasco but the supplier simply DID NOT PREFORM!

Date of experience: August 19, 2020

Previous