What is pre-diabetes?

After you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose, a type of sugar. A hormone called insulin helps your body absorb glucose. If your body can’t make enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly, you may develop diabetes.

Pre-diabetes is a condition that happens before you have type 2 diabetes. If not well managed, diabetes can cause heart attack and stroke. It can also damage the eyes, nerves, and kidneys.

The fact that you don’t have type 2 diabetes yet is good news. It’s not too late to get healthy.

What will my GP do now about my pre-diabetes?

Your GP will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Your GP will also help you to:

  • Learn more about your condition
  • Complete your National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) registration
  • Develop targets for your blood sugar levels
  • Learn about healthy lifestyle changes
  • Learn about low blood sugar and how to prevent or manage this

What will my GP do in the future for my pre-diabetes?

Your GP will see you regularly to check your health. It’s important you’re able to manage your type 2 diabetes properly.

Every 3-6 months, your GP will check your medicine, weight, height, and blood pressure. You should tell your GP if you notice any new symptoms

Every year, your GP will also check your heart health and may ask you to have some specific tests. Type 2 diabetes can cause problems for your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet. Your GP will check for any risks in these areas. If you are at risk, you may need to see a specialist.

What can I do for my pre-diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is not reversible but eating a healthy diet and losing weight can help normalise your blood sugar levels. Keep visiting your GP as often as you need. If you need to see a specialist, make sure you keep all your appointments.

People with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of heart disease. Be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Speak to your GP about booking in regular heart health checks.

You can also take these steps to limit your risk of developing type 2 diabetes:

  • Take any medicine exactly as instructed and attend all checkups
  • Book in with your GP to discuss your progress and track your blood sugar
  • Consider speaking to a diabetes educator

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your GP as soon as you can:

  • Trouble seeing
  • Pain in your foot/feet
  • Corns or ulcers
  • Loss of feeling in your foot
  • Trouble keeping your blood sugar low