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Could You Have Prediabetes and Not Know It? 3 Telltale Signs
Over 98 million American adults have prediabetes, and most people with prediabetes (a whopping 80%) don’t even know they have it.
That’s because many people feel “mostly fine” and have no obvious symptoms, yet their blood sugar levels are already higher than normal.
Without changes, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, which increases your risk of heart disease, nerve damage, and other complications.
Despite these statistics, the good news is that catching prediabetes early gives you an opportunity to reverse course.
Take a moment as Dr. N'Dama Bamba, MD, MPH, and our Dr. Bamba's Health and Medical Center team explain three signs that may suggest your blood sugar is trending in the wrong direction.
1. You feel unusually tired, especially after eating
If you feel drained after meals or struggle with ongoing fatigue, your blood sugar may be to blame.
With prediabetes, your body has trouble using insulin effectively, which means glucose doesn’t move into cells efficiently to be used for energy. That’s because insulin is what moves glucose out of your bloodstream and into your cells for energy.
As a result, you may feel sluggish, even when you’re eating regularly or getting enough sleep.
2. You’re frequently thirsty or urinating more often
It’s one thing to feel thirsty after a challenging workout or after a day in the hot sun, but if you’re thirstier than usual, don’t brush it off.
Elevated blood sugar pulls fluid from your tissues, which can leave you feeling thirstier than usual. Drinking more can then lead to more frequent urination.
While these symptoms are commonly associated with diabetes, they can also appear earlier, during the prediabetes stage.
3. You notice weight changes or increased hunger
Prediabetes can affect how your body stores and uses energy. Some people notice unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen, while others feel hungrier, despite eating normal meals.
This happens because insulin resistance makes it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar and appetite signals effectively.
Why prediabetes often goes unnoticed
Prediabetes doesn’t always cause dramatic symptoms. Many people discover it only through routine blood work, such as:
- Fasting blood glucose
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Glucose tolerance testing
That’s why regular checkups with Dr. Bamba are so important. Dr. Bamba can spot sugar levels that are trending in the wrong direction before you develop type 2 diabetes.
Your annual lab work is even more important if you have risk factors for diabetes, like a family history of diabetes, excess weight, high blood pressure, or a sedentary lifestyle.
What to do if you’re concerned
If any of these signs sound familiar, testing is the next step. It’s the only way to know for sure what your blood sugar levels are.
Prediabetes doesn’t mean diabetes is inevitable. With the right strategies, many people can improve their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes and medical guidance. In fact, research shows that lifestyle changes are the most effective at reversing prediabetes.
Dr. Bamba can review your lab results to confirm whether you’re in the prediabetic range. If you are, she can recommend the nutritional changes and exercise plans best suited to help improve your blood sugar levels.
If you’re wondering whether your symptoms could be related to blood sugar, scheduling a visit can help you get clear answers and peace of mind. Schedule a visit with Dr. Bamba or give us a call at 410-412-8640.