Pre-Diabetes – Diagnosis and Complications
Index
Diabetes is one of the diseases that has been growing at an alarming rate with each passing year. Characterized by increased levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream together with the body’s inability to transform and use this sugar in the way it should, many people already suffer from the disease and are unaware, or simply unable to identify through the symptoms, that they are often almost silent. Therefore, the importance of always performing routine examinations to assess health. The sooner it is discovered, the better the treatment response will be, especially if the condition presents itself only as a disease alert, with changes in the glucose level, which indicate that the patient has pre-diabetes and that he needs to take care for the disease is not actually diagnosed.
What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is the alert given through a laboratory blood test informing about the increased risk of the patient acquiring type 2 diabetes. It is not a diagnosis of the disease, but a warning that blood glucose levels are out of normal and they must be treated carefully so that it does not rise further and the disease is acquired.
When this alert is received, the patient must take the treatment seriously and be aware of the risks of the disease even at this stage. Since research on the subject, they point out that pre-diabetics are at greater risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems than the rest of the population. Other health problems that were seen with greater severity in pre-diabetics were: kidney, nerve problems and changes in the eyes.
Causes of Pre-Diabetes
Much is said about acquired diabetes, referring to type 2 diabetes, but how does it happen and when does it happen? Few people know the causes of prediabetes or only receive instructions when they are alerted that the disease is near. So, nothing better to avoid the disease than having knowledge of the causes and everything that can lead to the diagnosis of the disease.
With the stressful lives of people today, completely focused on their professional and academic lives, health is increasingly being left aside, until the body begins to give signals , just as a car needs fuel to function, the body also needs to be adequately fueled to be able to follow. But, unfortunately, most people only remember the maintenance of the body when it calls for help.
Among the main causes of pre-diabetes is poor diet, physical inactivity, excessive weight gain and obviously we cannot leave out the issue of family genetics, which influences a lot. Except for the last cause, of family history, the others can all be avoided through good habits and changes in routine.
Diabetes Diagnosis Exams
When suspicious symptoms are observed or simply by medical request in routine examinations, it is possible to investigate and diagnose diabetes through laboratory blood tests. Even in common blood tests it is possible to check when blood glucose is altered, which will serve as an indication for the doctor to request more specific tests to assess blood glucose.
Fasting Glucose
The fasting glucose test or also known as fasting glucose is the laboratory blood test that focuses on measuring the glucose levels found in the bloodstream. To obtain the exact analysis it is necessary to be on a complete fast from 8 to 12 hours, with only water intake being released. It is through this examination that the existence of pre-diabetes is analyzed or even the confirmation door of diabetes itself.
It can be performed specifically to monitor blood glucose or in conjunction with other more specific tests, which will give a more specific and clear result to the patient. Their reference values are:
- Normal blood glucose: Below 110 mg / dl;
- Altered blood glucose: between 110 mg / dl and 125 mg / dl;
- Diabetic: above 126 mg / dl;
- Low glycemia / hypoglycemia: below 70 mg / dl.
In the case of a result greater than 125 mg / dl, it will be necessary to repeat the exam for evaluation. Confirmation in at least 2 blood samples is recommended to confirm diabetes. But if the result was between 110 and 125 mg / dl it indicates that the patient is pre-diabetic and needs specific monitoring so that the disease does not occur once and for all.
Glycated Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hb) is a protein found in our bloodstream, more precisely in red blood cells and has the function of transporting oxygen in the blood. These red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 90 days, which during this period are linked to glucose, which is called glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). When glucose levels are greatly altered, glycated hemoglobin is also altered.
In the examination of glycated hemoglobin, it is possible to assess an average of these changes in the last 90 days, which may vary downwards, since it is not possible to specify the duration of red blood cells. With this evaluation of a longer period, it is possible to indicate whether it is a momentary lack of control or that it remains in the last period. Their reference values are:
- Healthy people : between 4.5% and 5.7%;
- Pre-diabetic : between 5.7% and 6.4%;
- Diabetic : above 6.5%
To consider the results, the doctor will analyze several factors about the patient, such as risk factors, symptoms and the presence of chronic complications. More evaluative exams may be requested or treatment can be initiated in the patient’s case.
Glucose Intolerance Test
The oral glucose intolerance test, also known by laboratories as a glycemic curve or TOTG, is performed by collecting blood on an empty stomach and after ingesting a very sweet liquid supplied by the laboratory. Collections are performed in the following order: fasting, 1 hour after ingestion, 2 hours after ingestion and 3 hours after ingestion. The patient must remain in the laboratory for the entire period. Usually, this test is requested during the gestational phase, to investigate the presence of gestational diabetes. The reference values are:
- Healthy people : Up to 140 mg / dl;
- Pre-diabetic : between 140 and 199 mg / dl;
- Diabetic : More than 200 mg / dl.
Based on the results and references of each laboratory, the doctor will indicate the appropriate treatment and the appropriate follow-up to the patient.
Does Pre-Diabetes Affect Fertility?
Decompensated diabetes can cause serious complications in the lives of men and women and one of those complications is to affect fertility. In pre-diabetes it can be an alert to be careful so that the high levels of glucose in the blood will affect the fertility of both.
In the case of men, decompensated glucose can cause disturbances in the metabolism of proteins and fats, still increasing the fragmentation of the sperm’s DNA, which reduces the seminal quality, increasing the possibilities of malformation or spontaneous abortion. Diabetic men may have erection problems or, in some cases, retrograde ejaculation, instead of the sperm leaving the urethra, going up to the bladder.
In the case of women, the decompensation of glucose can affect the menstrual cycle and thus make ovulation impossible. Making fertilization difficult and increasing the risk of spontaneous abortions. Diabetic women are at risk of suffering from early menopause, causing permanent infertility.
The best way to prevent this from happening is once prediabetes is discovered, follow medical instructions properly, change your eating habits and start practicing physical exercises. Only then, it is possible to reverse the condition and control blood glucose levels. If you want to get pregnant, in addition to all these precautions, we recommend the use of fertility vitamins such as FamiFerti and ViriFerti , which in addition to supplying all the body’s vitamin needs, also enhance ovulation, the uterus and the endometrium in the case of women and strengthen the sperm, in addition to improving DNA and seminal production in the case of men. You can purchase them here in our online store.
Make regular medical visits and always perform routine exams. The discovery of any disease, even if it is only a warning with pre-diabetes is the best way to seek the appropriate treatment and reduce disorders.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.