What is "prediabetes"

n. The state in which blood glucose levels are above normal but have not reached those of diabetes.

Prediabetes is the precursor stage to diabetes mellitus in which not all of the symptoms required to label a person as diabetic are present, but blood sugar is abnormally high. This stage is often referred to as the "grey area."

Impaired fasting glycemia and impaired glucose tolerance are two forms of prediabetes that are similar in clinical definition (high fasting glucose levels) but are physiologically distinct. Insulin resistance, the insulin resistance syndrome ( metabolic syndrome or syndrome X), and prediabetes are closely related to one another and have overlapping aspects.