The CDC estimates that 115.2 million US adults, more than 2 in 5, have prediabetes, and only about 1 in 5 of them has been told by a health professional. Prediabetes is identified with an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% or a fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL.
Prediabetes means blood sugar is higher than normal but below the level used to diagnose type 2 diabetes. It rarely causes symptoms, which is why most people who have it have never been told.
How common it is
The CDC's National Diabetes Statistics Report estimates that 115.2 million American adults had prediabetes in 2023, more than 2 in 5. Among adults with prediabetes, about 1 in 5 reported having been told by a health professional that they had it.
How it is found
Prediabetes is identified with a blood test. The American Diabetes Association uses these ranges:
- A1C: 5.7% to 6.4%. A1C reflects average blood sugar over roughly three months
- Fasting plasma glucose: 100 to 125 mg/dL
- Two-hour oral glucose tolerance test: 140 to 199 mg/dL
Who should be tested
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity. Clinicians often test earlier in people with a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, or high blood pressure.
What the research says about turning it around
The Diabetes Prevention Program, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2002, followed 3,234 adults with elevated blood sugar for about three years. A lifestyle program aimed at modest weight loss and at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week lowered the rate of new type 2 diabetes by 58% compared with placebo.
Habits with evidence behind them
- Walk most days. Even a short walk after meals lowers the blood sugar rise that follows
- Build meals around vegetables, protein and high-fiber foods
- Replace sugary drinks with water
- Protect your sleep. One night of short sleep lowers insulin sensitivity the next day
- If you carry extra weight, modest loss makes a measurable difference
When to talk with a clinician
If you are 35 or older, have a family history of diabetes, or have never had your A1C checked, ask a licensed clinician about testing. A result in the prediabetes range is a reason for a plan and a repeat test.
DirectCare AI offers clinician-ordered blood testing with results explained in plain English.
This article is educational and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own health.
References
- Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(6):393-403. Source
- Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(8):736-743. Source
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Updated 2026. Source
Real labs. Plain-English plan.
A clinician-ordered, 80+ biomarker panel. Results in 3–5 days, with a personalized roadmap from a US-licensed clinician — not a chart you have to decode yourself.
See my numbers → →Editorial disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All treatments at DirectCare AI are prescribed by US-licensed clinicians based on individual medical evaluation. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Always consult a US-licensed clinician before starting or changing any therapy.
