• Published on: Sep 26, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Is The Meaning Of Pre-diabetic?

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What is the meaning of pre-diabetic?

Pre-diabetes is the stage that comes before type 2 diabetes. If blood sugar levels are high but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes, then you are pre-diabetic.

A person may have pre-diabetes if they find it hard to control their blood glucose levels.

It is important to note how long you have had this condition and what your other risk factors are like such as age, history of gestational diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, family history (genetic heritability), obesity (BMI > 30), physical inactivity.

Pre-diabetic people tend to be insulin resistant or sensitive when they're not eating anything, and the fasting level is high at 138 mg/dl and when they're drinking glucose their fasting level goes up even more and after a meal, their blood sugar goes up higher than 140 mg/dl at least two times in 225.

Someone affected by pre-diabetes has an impaired ability to produce insulin, which is necessary to regulate glucose levels. This could lead to high blood sugar over time. People who are pre-diabetic may suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), normal aging or another illness that causes the pancreas to fail to work properly. A person suffering from pre-diabetes is suffering from high blood sugar levels. A person suffering from diabetes not Type 1 is suffering from high blood sugar levels.

Sometimes people are diagnosed with pre-diabetes instead of Type II Diabetes because it's more common in the population. Pre-diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or process glucose properly to regulate blood sugar, but that can be managed through diet and exercise in most cases.

Type I Diabetes is when a person cannot make any insulin at all, whereas type II might be caused by, for example, an unfortunate metabolic issue or lifestyle change like eating too many sweets or quitting smoking.

Pre-diabetic refers to a person who has blood sugar levels that qualify him or her as "pre-high blood glucose" but not high enough to be considered diabetic yet. Pre-diabetes is a temporary condition in which the body starts to develop insulin resistance, and the cells of your pancreas start secreting more and more of their own insulin to avoid producing too much glucose. Eventually, this becomes counterproductive, the pancreas becomes so resistant it can't keep up with demand anymore, and type 2 diabetes occurs. However, pre-diabetes does not require any treatment because by avoiding junk food and excessive portions (and exercising) you will likely get off pre-diabetics without ever developing diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a term to describe high blood insulin levels that are on the cusp of developing type 2 diabetes but haven't yet.

Type 2 diabetes develops when cells lose their insulin receptors and cannot create enough sugar for themselves. This means the body has to produce more and more insulin in order to get glucose into any cells with remaining insulin receptors (such as muscle or fat cells). Over time, high levels of circulating hormones lead to damage in the small vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients — particularly to kidneys — putting them at risk of failure. This can happen over decades and is referred to as "insulin resistance".

The primary goal for people suffering from pre-diabetes should be lifestyle change: reduce weight. Pre-diabetic means that you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you're overweight, have a family history of diabetes, develop gestational diabetes while pregnant, or if it runs in your household then pre-diabetes is more likely to progress into type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetic means that a patient has been diagnosed as prediabetic – that is, their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as having diabetes. People with pre-diabetes have a greatly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One study found that adults who had one or more characteristics of the metabolic syndrome exhibited a 46% reduction in risk for the development of diabetes over 4 years following blinded diagnosis if they took metformin therapy alone or with other agents, compared to those on placebo therapy. In addition, people with pre-metabolic syndrome specifically were found to have 89?creased risks for this development

The term pre-diabetic is typically applied to patients who have impaired glucose tolerance or who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. A patient is considered a pre-diabetic when he or she has high blood sugar levels that may lead to progression into full-blown diabetes, called Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria for T2DM. In other words, the cells of this patient's body aren't quite as dysfunctional as those of a diabetic, yet they show signs of dysfunction. This stage falls between normal and diabetic and is sometimes referred to as prediabetes because it puts an individual at "risk" for T2DM development.

A pre-diabetic person is one who exhibits signs that they may be diabetic. The symptoms include stomach pains, frequent urination, and sudden weight loss. Pre-diabetes used to be known as age-related diabetes and are common in adults who are overweight and have high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels. Early-onset of pre-diabetes can lead to both short-term and long-term risks including heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy (Eye) as well as early death for people with type 2 diabetes.

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Reasons Behind Low Haemoglobin in Non-Anaemic People

Reasons Behind Low Haemoglobin in Non-Anaemic People

When people think of low haemoglobin, they often assume it's always linked with anaemia. But that’s not always true. You can have a slightly low haemoglobin count even if your red blood cell count and iron levels are still in the normal range.

So, what does it mean when non-anaemic people have low haemoglobin? Should you worry? Let’s explore the reasons behind low haemoglobin in non-anaemic people and what you can do about it.

 

What Is Haemoglobin?

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. The average normal levels are:

  • Men: 13.5 – 17.5 g/dL
     

  • Women: 12.0 – 15.5 g/dL
     

Levels just below the normal range may not be classified as anaemia—but they can still indicate something going on.

 

Common Reasons for Low Haemoglobin in Non-Anaemic People

1. Mild Nutrient Deficiencies

Even if you’re eating regularly, you could still lack key nutrients needed to build haemoglobin—such as:

  • Vitamin B12
     

  • Folate (Vitamin B9)
     

  • Vitamin C (helps absorb iron)
     

Low levels of these don’t always lead to full-blown anaemia but can reduce haemoglobin production.

 

2. Chronic Inflammation or Infections

Your body may produce less haemoglobin during periods of chronic inflammation—such as:

  • Thyroid disorders
     

  • IBS or gut issues
     

  • Low-grade infections
     

These may not show symptoms right away but can slightly lower your haemoglobin over time.

 

3. Dilution from Overhydration

If you drink too much water before a blood test, your blood plasma volume may increase and dilute your haemoglobin, giving a lower reading.

This is temporary and often not harmful, but it can confuse test results.

 

4. Hormonal Imbalances

Conditions like hypothyroidism can subtly affect red blood cell and haemoglobin production.

In women, heavy menstrual bleeding can cause periodic dips in haemoglobin levels—especially if not supported with iron-rich nutrition.

 

5. Athletic Training (Pseudo-Anaemia)

In endurance athletes or those who do high levels of cardio, the body increases plasma (fluid) volume to improve circulation. This can lower the haemoglobin concentration without reducing red cell count—this is called athlete’s pseudo-anaemia.

 

What Tests to Consider

If you have low haemoglobin but no signs of anaemia, your doctor may recommend:

  • Serum Ferritin (iron storage)
     

  • Vitamin B12 and Folate tests
     

  • Thyroid profile
     

  • CRP or ESR (for inflammation)
     

You can get these tests easily with home sample collection from trusted platforms like SecondMedic.com, powered by Thyrocare.

 

Should You Be Concerned?

If your haemoglobin is:

  • Slightly below normal (e.g., 11.8–12.2 g/dL)
     

  • You have no symptoms (fatigue, paleness, breathlessness)
     

…then it may not be an emergency. However, monitoring and lifestyle changes are still important.

If it drops further or if symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately.

 

What You Can Do Naturally

Improve Your Diet

  • Eat leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits
     

  • Add iron-rich foods like beetroot, dates, and jaggery
     

  • Pair iron with vitamin C (e.g., lemon + spinach)
     

Reduce Inflammation

  • Avoid excessive sugar, fried foods, and processed meals
     

  • Include turmeric, ginger, and antioxidants in your diet
     

Stay Active but Balanced

  • Don’t overtrain
     

  • Rest and hydrate well, especially before blood tests
     

 

Conclusion

Low haemoglobin without anaemia is more common than you might think. The causes are often mild and reversible, but keeping an eye on your numbers and adjusting your diet or lifestyle can make a big difference.

If you’ve been wondering about the reasons behind low haemoglobin in non-anaemic people, now you know how to understand and manage it better—naturally and confidently.

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