Diabetes guide
Prediabetes: what it is and first steps
Find out what the result means and plan your next visit.
Fight Diabetes For Good editorial desk · Last reviewed:
What prediabetes means
Prediabetes means blood glucose is above the usual range but below the threshold for type 2 diabetes. It often has no noticeable symptoms. A clinician can use an A1C or another blood glucose test to evaluate it. The A1C guide explains the screening ranges and why another test may be needed.
Start with the result and a follow-up date
Ask which test was used, what the result was, and whether it should be repeated. Ask what changes your care team recommends and when they want to review progress. Bring up a history of gestational diabetes, any medicines you take, and practical concerns like food costs or limited time for activity.
Choose one change you can repeat
Try adding a vegetable to a lunch you already eat or planning a balanced meal for a busy day. If walking is appropriate for you, choose a short route you can repeat and put it on your calendar. Our walking guide has ideas for starting gradually. A registered dietitian can help adapt a meal plan to the foods you eat and what is available to you.
If your care team recommends weight loss, ask for a realistic goal and support. The CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program offers structured lifestyle-change programs for eligible people. A coach and a schedule can help you put changes into practice. Ask your clinic whether a recognized program is available in person or online.
Compare resources before buying
Start with the CDC guidance linked below. If you prefer a commercial guide you can read independently, our Prediabetes Action Plan review describes what to check before purchasing. Ask your clinician which advice is relevant to you and use your follow-up visit to review how your plan is going.
Put the numbers on one page
Write the test name and date at the top. If you have more than one result, record them separately. A fasting glucose and an A1C measure different things, so their numbers cannot be compared directly. An A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% or a fasting plasma glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL can fall in the prediabetes range. Ask your clinician to interpret the result in context and tell you whether to repeat the test.
Write down the date of your next visit and a phone number for questions. The ADA recommends yearly testing for people with prediabetes. Your clinician can tell you whether to check sooner based on your result, medical history, or symptoms. If you are pregnant or recently had gestational diabetes, ask about the follow-up schedule that applies to you.
Choose a first step that fits your week
Think of a meal or activity you could repeat on a busy day. If lunch often happens at work, try packing one meal you already know how to prepare. You could use the plate method to plan vegetables, protein, and a carbohydrate food. If you buy lunch, decide what you might order before you get there. Keep the first change small enough to try without reorganizing the entire week.
For movement, pick a time when you already have a few minutes, such as after lunch or before an evening activity. Ask what is safe for you if you have pain, trouble with balance, or a health condition that affects exercise. Record whether you were able to do the activity and what got in the way. That gives you a useful starting point for the next week.
Decide what kind of support would help
A CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program uses a lifestyle coach and a group or online format, depending on the provider. Ask about eligibility, cost, time commitment, and whether it is offered in a language and format you can use. If the meeting time conflicts with work, ask about another provider or whether a remote option is available.
A registered dietitian can help if you want advice on foods, portions, or a plan that works with another health condition. If your clinician brings up medicine, ask why they think it may be useful for you, what to expect, and how follow-up works. Discuss any supplement or major diet change with your care team before you start.
Review what happened without judging the week
After a couple of weeks, look at what you could repeat. Did one lunch work well when you were busy? Was the walking route hard to use in bad weather? Keep the parts that fit and adjust the ones that did not. If food costs or your schedule get in the way, bring that up at the next visit. Your team may know local programs or simpler options.
Take your questions, recent results, and any routine notes to your follow-up. Ask what you will measure next and when. If the result changes, your clinician can explain what it means and whether your plan needs to change.
Make a short list of questions for follow-up
Ask whether anything in your medical history changes the plan. A family history of type 2 diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes is worth mentioning. Bring up medicines and any conditions that make exercise or meal planning harder. If a recommendation is hard to carry out, ask for an example that fits your usual schedule.
Before you leave, confirm who will order the next test and how you will get the result. Put a reminder on your calendar. If you have questions about what to eat, bring a list of meals you already like and ask which small adjustments are worth trying first.
Common questions
Can you have prediabetes without symptoms?
Yes. Many people have no noticeable symptoms. A blood test interpreted by your clinician can help identify it.
What is the first thing to do after a prediabetes result?
Ask what test was used, whether another test is needed, and when you should follow up. Then choose one manageable change to discuss with your care team.
Can prediabetes go back into the usual range?
Glucose levels can return below the prediabetes range for some people. Keep follow-up testing on your calendar because levels can rise again.
How often should I be tested if I have prediabetes?
The ADA recommends yearly testing. Ask your clinician whether you should be tested sooner based on your medical history or result.
What is the National Diabetes Prevention Program?
It is a CDC-led effort that includes recognized lifestyle-change programs. Ask about eligibility and which local or online options are available.