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![Clean Up Your Diet and Other Lifestyle Tweaks to Reverse Prediabetes gif of a man trying to eat bread and other high-carbohydrate foods while a doctor holds him back to reverse prediabetes](https://aarp.widen.net/content/l5pfk1smak/web/78037_gif01.gif?animate=true&u=alkyaq)
My blood test said I have prediabetes. Now what?
I’m glad you asked this question because these days, prediabetes affects around 1 in 3 people. If you have this condition, it means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for you to be considered diabetic. Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly, which causes blood sugar to rise.
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The good news is that by making moderate lifestyle changes, you can prevent your numbers from rising. You may even be able to lower them. Diabetes doesn’t have to be your destiny.
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Ask Dr. Adam
Adam B. Rosenbluth, M.D., is an internist and cardiologist in New York City. Each Monday, he’ll weigh in on your questions about how to make your body work better for you. His AARP book will be published in 2027.
Let’s begin by looking at your test results. One of the best ways your doctor can tell if you’re currently at risk of becoming diabetic in the future is by checking your blood with something called an A1C test, also known as hemoglobin A1C. This simple test gives your doctor a measurement of your average blood glucose (blood sugar) level over the past 90 days.
The higher the number, the higher your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For instance, most people within a normal range will get a reading somewhere between 5.0 and 5.6. But once that number hits 5.7 and until it reaches 6.4, we consider you prediabetic. If your A1C number is 6.5 or higher, then you’re considered diabetic.
The first thing I tell my patients is, “Listen, don’t get upset. It’s wonderful that we have the ability to tell whether or not you’re at risk for diabetes in the future. These numbers are often reversible. You can lower them by changing your diet and exercising regularly.”
When I say changing your diet, you may think I’m talking about simply cutting out candy. But it goes beyond gummy bears, candy bars or even ice cream.
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