What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes means blood sugar is above the normal range but below the range for type 2 diabetes. It often has no clear symptoms. Ask your provider what your results mean and which steps may help lower your risk.
Diabetes awareness
Know Your Risk.
Connect Your Care.
You may have questions about your diabetes risk, a recent test result or an existing care plan. Wherever you are starting, LVD Health Center can help you understand your next step.
Awareness and ongoing care
Understanding Diabetes Starts With Awareness
Diabetes affects how your body uses blood sugar for energy. Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can develop without noticeable symptoms. Talking with a healthcare provider about your risk and testing can help you understand where you stand. If you already live with diabetes, regular care helps you keep your plan connected.
- Discuss your personal and family health history
- Ask what testing or results mean for you
- Keep up with a care plan that fits your needs
Four places to begin
Small, Sustainable Steps Can Lower Risk
Learning your risk and managing diabetes involve different questions. Start with the topic that fits your situation, then talk with your care team about what comes next.
Know Your Risk
Family history, age, activity level and a history of diabetes during pregnancy can affect your risk for type 2 diabetes. Share your health history and concerns with your provider. Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop diabetes.
Understand Testing and Results
Blood tests help identify prediabetes and diabetes. One common test, A1C, reflects your average blood sugar over about three months. Ask which test is appropriate, what your results mean and when to follow up.
Build Everyday Healthy Habits
For people with prediabetes, changes in food choices, physical activity and weight management when appropriate may help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Choose realistic steps with your care team that fit your abilities, routine and goals.
Stay Connected With Your Care
If you live with diabetes, ask your care team about monitoring, medications and follow-up visits. Eye, foot and dental care may also be part of your plan. Tell your provider when costs, transportation or daily routines make care difficult.
Common questions
Diabetes FAQ
How do I know if I should be tested?
Your provider considers your health history and risk factors when recommending testing. You do not need to wait for symptoms to ask whether a blood sugar test is appropriate for you.
Can lifestyle changes help prevent type 2 diabetes?
For many people with prediabetes, healthy eating, regular activity and weight management when appropriate can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Work with your care team on changes you can maintain. These recommendations concern type 2 diabetes prevention.
How can LVDHC support ongoing diabetes care?
Primary Care is a starting point for questions about diabetes and your care plan. Ask your provider how Health & Wellness, Pharmacy and other services may fit your individual needs.
How do eye, foot and dental care fit into my plan?
Diabetes can affect several parts of your health. Ask your provider which eye, foot and dental evaluations you need, how often to have them and whether a referral is required.
What should I bring to an appointment?
Bring a list of medications and supplements, recent test results if you have them, and your questions. If you track blood sugar, bring those records too. Share changes in your health and anything that makes following your plan difficult.
Care close to home
Diabetes Care at LVD Health Center
Primary Care
Primary care can help with routine screenings, diabetes support, chronic condition management, medication management and coordination with specialty care when needed. Your provider can also help you understand your individual risk and create a care plan that fits your health needs.
Health & Wellness
LVDHC's Health & Wellness Program offers nutrition education, customized exercise programming, lifestyle counseling, tobacco cessation support and ongoing guidance for people working on healthier habits or managing a chronic condition. No referral is required to participate.
Pharmacy
Medication routines can be an important part of diabetes care. LVDHC Pharmacy offers Medication Therapy Management, including one-on-one time with a pharmacist to review medications and medical conditions, along with prescription refill and medication synchronization services.
Additional Care Connections
Diabetes can affect more than blood sugar alone. Routine eye care, foot care and dental care are all important parts of long-term health. LVDHC offers Optometry Care, Podiatry Care and Dental Care in Watersmeet, making it easier to stay connected to multiple parts of your care team.
Questions about risk or ongoing care?
Know your risk. Know your next step.
Whether you are wondering about your diabetes risk or looking for support with ongoing care, start with LVD Health Center. Request an appointment to discuss your questions and the next step that is right for you.