Diabetes · 4 min read
Prediabetes: the warning stage you can still reverse
What prediabetes means, why it's not a diagnosis of diabetes, and why this is the moment where change works best.
By the TarragonHealth editorial team
What prediabetes actually means
Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal (an HbA1c of 5.7 to 6.4%, or a fasting glucose in a similar borderline range) but not yet high enough to call diabetes. It is your body's early warning, showing up years before diabetes itself typically would.
Why this stage matters more than most
Left unaddressed, prediabetes commonly progresses to type 2 diabetes over several years. But it is also the stage where change works best: most people who lose a modest amount of weight and move more bring their numbers back into the normal range, something that becomes management rather than reversal once full diabetes is diagnosed.
What actually reverses it
Losing 5 to 7% of body weight, regular movement, cutting sugary drinks, and eating more fibre are the changes with real evidence behind them. Most people at this stage do not need medication to turn things around, though that is a conversation for your doctor based on your specific numbers.
Who should get tested
The same risk factors as diabetes apply: family history, extra weight around the waist, age 40 and above, high blood pressure, or a previous borderline reading. A single fasting glucose or HbA1c test tells you where you stand, and a yearly recheck afterward tracks which direction you're moving.
This article is general health information, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. Always talk to a doctor about your own situation, and if you feel seriously unwell, go to a hospital now.