Pre-Diabetic? You Might Not Even Know It.
“Your blood sugar’s fine… for now.”
That’s what a lot of Canadians hear at their checkup. No follow-up. No warning. Just a quiet assumption that “normal” means healthy.
But here’s the truth: prediabetes affects 1 in 3 Canadians and most don’t know they have it. It’s not just about numbers on a chart. It’s a metabolic warning sign that damage is already underway, even if your A1C hasn’t hit the diabetes threshold.
And once that damage starts? It doesn’t wait for a diagnosis to get worse.
What Is Prediabetes
Prediabetes is a state where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. You may hear terms like:
- Impaired fasting glucose
- Insulin resistance
- Borderline A1C
They all point to one thing: your body isn’t handling sugar the way it should. Over time, this leads to:
- Inflammation
- Nerve damage
- Hormonal imbalances
- Higher cardiovascular risk
But here’s what’s worse: you can feel totally fine while it’s happening.
The Real Risk: Early Damage Starts Without Symptoms
Think diabetes only becomes a problem once it’s officially diagnosed? Think again.
Studies show that even mild, sustained elevations in blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves, years before type 2 diabetes is officially diagnosed.
And most Canadians don’t catch it because:
- They don’t feel “sick”
- Their weight is “normal”
- They had one blood test that wasn’t flagged
“I’m Not Overweight, So I’m Not at Risk”… Right?
Wrong. That’s one of the biggest myths about prediabetes. While body weight plays a role, it’s far from the only factor.
You may be at risk if you:
- Are over the age of 40
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Are part of an at-risk ethnic group (including South Asian, Indigenous, African, Hispanic)
- Had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Live a sedentary lifestyle or have chronic stress
- Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or carry fat around the belly
Many people with prediabetes have no obvious warning signs — and don’t fit the “diabetes stereotype.”
Common Signs People Miss
Most symptoms of prediabetes are either subtle or written off as something else:
- Constant fatigue or “energy crashes”
- Brain fog or difficulty focusing
- Increased hunger or cravings
- Excessive thirst or frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Darkened skin in body folds (a condition called acanthosis nigricans)
- Intense blood sugar dips after eating
The problem is that these symptoms don’t seem urgent, so they’re ignored, normalized, or misdiagnosed.
How to Get Checked (and What to Ask For)
Not all blood sugar tests are equal. Here’s what to look for:
- Fasting Blood Glucose: Measures your sugar after not eating for 8 hours.
Prediabetes range: 6.1–6.9 mmol/L - Hemoglobin A1C: Shows your average blood sugar over 3 months.
Prediabetes range: 6.0%–6.4% - Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): A 2-hour test after drinking a sugary liquid.
Prediabetes range: 7.8–11.0 mmol/L at 2 hours
Heads up: These tests are often only ordered if you specifically request them or if you’re flagged as “at-risk.”
What You Can Do Now to Reverse It
The good news? Prediabetes is reversible. You can often prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through small, consistent changes.
Here’s what works — backed by research:
- Move more. Even 30 minutes of walking a day improves insulin sensitivity.
- Watch your carbs. Not just how much, but what kind. Choose fibre-rich, low-GI options.
- Sleep 7–8 hours. Poor sleep increases insulin resistance.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress keeps your blood sugar elevated.
- Don’t skip meals. Stabilizing blood sugar is key.
- Track your bloodwork annually. Especially if you’re over 40 or have any risk factors.
You don’t need to overhaul your life. You just need to change the trajectory.
Don’t Have a Doctor to Run the Tests?
If you’re not currently under regular care, or stuck waiting for a family doctor, you can still take action.
Use Medimap to find a walk-in clinic near you and ask about prediabetes screening. Many walk-ins offer the basic tests or can refer you to get them done faster.
Prediabetes doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means your body’s asking for help. And you’re catching it in time to do something about it.
Discover a streamlined way to manage appointments and increase visibility. Join our network of healthcare professionals today at medimap.ca.