More than 96 million American adults — that's roughly 1 in 3 — have prediabetes. Even more alarming: more than 80% of them don't know it. Prediabetes has no obvious symptoms, but it significantly raises your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news? It's reversible — but only if you catch it in time.

A simple blood sugar test is all it takes to find out where you stand.

Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Think of it as a warning zone — your body is struggling to manage glucose effectively, but you still have a window to turn things around.

Without intervention, prediabetes progresses to type 2 diabetes in about 5 to 10 years for many people. But with the right lifestyle changes — and sometimes medication — many people with prediabetes never develop diabetes at all.

There are two primary blood tests used to screen for prediabetes:

This test measures your blood sugar after you've fasted for at least 8 hours. It gives a snapshot of your baseline glucose level when your body isn't processing a recent meal.

Fasting glucose ranges:

The A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Rather than a single-moment reading, it reflects how well your body has been managing glucose over time — making it one of the most reliable screening tools available.

A1C ranges:

Many healthcare providers use both tests together for a more complete picture.

The American Diabetes Association recommends blood sugar screening for adults who:

• Are 35 years or older
• Are overweight or obese (BMI over 25)
• Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
• Are physically inactive
• Have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby over 9 pounds
• Have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Are of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent (these groups have higher risk)

If you have any of these risk factors, don't wait for symptoms — there aren't any. Screening is the only way to know.

Here's the critical thing about prediabetes: it's not a life sentence. Studies show that people who make targeted lifestyle changes can reduce their risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by 58% — and by 71% in adults over 60.

The earlier you catch elevated blood sugar, the more options you have:

• Dietary changes: Reducing refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed foods can have a significant impact on blood glucose levels
• Exercise: Even 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week improves insulin sensitivity
• Weight loss: Losing just 5–7% of your body weight can dramatically lower your risk
• Medication: In some cases, doctors prescribe metformin to help manage blood sugar alongside lifestyle changes

None of these interventions are extreme — but they require knowing there's a problem in the first place.

Understanding the root causes can help you take targeted action:

• Insulin resistance: Your cells stop responding normally to insulin, so glucose stays in your bloodstream instead of entering cells for energy
• Excess body fat: Especially visceral fat around the abdomen, which interferes with insulin signaling
• Sedentary lifestyle: Physical inactivity reduces your muscles' ability to absorb glucose
• Poor diet: High intake of refined carbs, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods spikes blood sugar repeatedly
• Sleep deprivation: Poor sleep raises cortisol and disrupts glucose regulation
• Chronic stress: Stress hormones like cortisol raise blood sugar levels

If your results are normal and you have no risk factors, the CDC recommends screening every 3 years starting at age 35. If you have risk factors, your doctor may recommend annual testing.

If you've already been told you have prediabetes, retesting every 6 to 12 months helps you track whether your lifestyle changes are working.

You don't need a doctor's appointment or insurance to get screened. Reliable Exams lets you order a fasting glucose or A1C test directly, visit a lab near you, and get results fast — at a price that won't surprise you.

Taking 15 minutes to get a blood draw today could be one of the most important health decisions you make this year.

Take control of your blood sugar. Order a Fasting Glucose or Hemoglobin A1C test from Reliable Exams and get your results without the wait.