Warning Signs and Symptoms of Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. While prediabetes itself may not cause symptoms, it signals that the body is beginning to struggle with insulin regulation.

The good news is that prediabetes is reversible. With early identification and lifestyle changes, many people are able to return blood sugar levels to a healthy range and prevent progression to diabetes.

Risk Factors for Prediabetes

Lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity increase the risk of prediabetes, but several additional factors are also associated with higher risk, including:

• Being overweight or obese

• Age 45 years or older

• Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes

• A history of gestational diabetes

• Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

• Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Belonging to higher-risk populations, including Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, or Asian American communities

Most people with prediabetes have no noticeable symptoms. One possible physical sign is darkened skin in areas such as the neck, armpits, or groin (a condition called acanthosis nigricans).

As blood sugar levels rise toward type 2 diabetes, early symptoms may begin to appear, including:

• Increased hunger or thirst

• Frequent urination

• Fatigue or weakness

• Blurred vision

• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

• Unexplained weight loss

• Recurrent infections

• Slow-healing sores

Diabetes is a chronic, long-term condition in which the body cannot effectively use insulin or does not produce enough of it. Insulin is essential for moving glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. When insulin doesn’t work properly, blood sugar remains elevated, leading to widespread damage over time.

Potential complications of uncontrolled diabetes include:

• Dental and gum disease

• Heart disease and stroke

• Eye disease (diabetic retinopathy)

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)

• Kidney disease

• Foot problems and poor circulation

• Bladder and sexual dysfunction

• Skin infections and delayed healing

Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin. It requires lifelong insulin therapy and accounts for approximately 5–10% of diabetes cases. There is currently no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form, accounting for 90–95% of diabetes cases. The body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough. Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually and may be prevented—or delayed—through lifestyle changes when identified early.

Gestational Diabetes
Occurs during pregnancy and often resolves after delivery. However, it increases the mother’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life and raises health risks for the baby.

How can I tell the difference between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?
Only a blood test can reliably distinguish between the two. Tests such as A1C, fasting glucose, or oral glucose tolerance tests measure average blood sugar levels over time.

Can prediabetes be reversed?
Yes. Weight loss, improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and regular monitoring can often restore blood sugar levels to a healthy range.

Untreated prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, leading to serious long-term complications. Early testing and medical guidance are key to prevention.

With Call-On-Doc, you can:

• Order at-home diabetes and blood glucose test kits

• Receive physician-reviewed results

• Get guidance on prevention or treatment plans

• Manage chronic conditions through membership services if needed

Once your test kit arrives, you collect your sample at home and return it using the prepaid packaging. Results are uploaded to your patient dashboard, where a doctor reviews them and outlines next steps.

If results show prediabetes, your provider will guide you through lifestyle strategies to prevent progression. If type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, treatment plans and medications can be arranged, including options for home-delivered prescriptions.

Talk to a doctor online today and get proactive about your health—when and where you need it.

1. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention-type-2/prediabetes-prevent-type-2.html
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355278
4. https://medlineplus.gov/diabetescomplications.html
5. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html