You may have been told that you have borderline diabetes or prediabetes if you have:

1. A fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL
2. A glucose level of 140 to 199 mg/dL at the two-hour measurement during an oral glucose tolerance test

However, most people who receive this "diagnosis" of borderline diabetes should have been given a different name for their condition. Experts at the National Cholesterol Education Program say the term "borderline diabetes" should be abandoned. Instead, one of the following terms should be used to describe what is really happening in the body.

1. Insulin resistance: A condition in which the body does not respond normally to insulin, thus causing the body to produce more and more insulin to move glucose from the blood into the cells. Although blood sugar levels eventually return to normal, the high insulin levels can cause damage, including:
   • High blood pressure
   • Clogged arteries
   • Lower HDL "good" cholesterol levels
2. Impaired glucose tolerance: Think of this as the eventual consequence of insulin resistance. Over time, the body cannot make enough insulin to bring blood sugar levels down, so they rise slightly. People with impaired glucose tolerance can experience the same damage as those with type 2 diabetes, including kidney, eye, and heart damage.
3. Type 2 diabetes: In this most common form of diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use the glucose that enters the bloodstream after eating.

The good news is that taking charge of your health today can prevent the complications that may occur tomorrow.

What to Do When You Have "Borderline Diabetes"

1. Work with your physician or diabetes educator to develop a custom plan.
2. Check blood sugar levels using a home glucose monitor to detect any levels above normal. Remember, any level above normal can lead to long-term complications.
3. Follow a meal plan for people with type 2 diabetes.
4. If you are overweight, begin a lifestyle-enhancing program, such as the free Diabetes Management Plan on this Web site, to help you lose weight slowly and keep it off.
5. Start and maintain a regular, physician-approved exercise program.