While type 1 and type 2 are the most common form of diabetes there are others that you may hear about.
Impaired Glucose Metabolism or Pre-diabetes
Some people may have blood-glucose readings that are not high enough to be classified as diabetes, but they aren’t normal either.
This result used to be called borderline diabetes, but is more commonly known as an impaired glucose metabolism or pre-diabetes. There are two pre-diabetes conditions:
- Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes
- Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is where blood glucose levels are escalated in the fasting state but not high enough to be classified as diabetes
These conditions are more common in people who have a family history of type 2 diabetes, are inactive and overweight, particularly when excess weight is carried around the waistline.
Being diagnosed with impaired glucose metabolism doesn’t mean that you will get type 2 diabetes but you are at a 10-20 times greater risk than those with normal blood glucose levels.
Being diagnosed with an impaired glucose metabolism should be taken as a warning sign. It presents you with an opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes. Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when high blood glucose levels are present for the first time during pregnancy. It develops towards the middle of the pregnancy as a result of the changes in the mother’s hormones. If this condition is left untreated, it can cause serious complications for the mother and the baby.
Source and more information at Diabetes Australia
www.diabetesaustralia.com.au
