Prediabetes: The Symptoms Most People Miss
- McMaster Diabetes Association (MDA)
- Nov 25, 2025
- 4 min read
Author: Savita Perera
Prediabetes is one of those conditions that often goes unnoticed - not because it’s rare, but because it’s so quiet. Today, more than 1 in 3 American adults (a staggering 88 million) have prediabetes, but more than 80% of them don’t know it (CDC, n.d.). The reason? The warning signs of prediabetes can be very subtle, easy to brush off, or even mistaken for something else entirely.
You may know what diabetes is, but what is prediabetes? Prediabetes is a condition where one’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If left unmanaged, prediabetics can go on to become type 2 diabetics (Mayo Clinic, 2023). However, a prediabetes diagnosis is not the end of the world: if early warning signs are not ignored and good lifestyle changes are made, prediabetes can be reversed (Basile, 2022). Here are a few silent signs that should not be ignored:
1. Fatigue That Doesn’t Go Away
We all get tired sometimes, but persistent fatigue may be an early warning sign of prediabetes. If you are consistently tired even after a full night’s rest, that’s the type of fatigue that should not be ignored. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, it struggles to move glucose, your cells’ main energy source, from the bloodstream into the cells. This results in less energy when you need it, and higher sugar levels when you don’t (CareArc, 2024).
2. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination
If you notice that you are reaching for water more often or making more frequent trips to the bathroom, it could be your body’s way of trying to flush out excess sugar. When someone has high blood glucose, their kidneys are forced to work harder to filter and absorb the excess glucose. If the kidneys are not successful in doing so, the excess glucose is excreted into the urine, drawing water from the body’s tissues and leading to dehydration. This creates a constant need to rehydrate, which then results in more frequent urination. A noticeable increase in thirst combined with more frequent urination, especially if it disrupts your sleep, is a classic early sign of blood sugar imbalance that should not be ignored (CareArc, 2024).
3. Unexplained Weight Changes
Some people with prediabetes notice unexplained weight gain, usually around the stomach, due to insulin resistance and hormonal changes. Others may experience unexpected weight loss as the body struggles to use glucose properly and starts breaking down fats and muscles for energy. If you are experiencing an unexplained or unintentional weight change of 10 pounds or more over 6-12 months or less, it is important to get attention from a healthcare provider, as this could signify progression to type 2 diabetes or worsening insulin resistance (Magnani, 2023; Scripps, 2025).
4. Increased Hunger, Even After a Meal
If you find that you are constantly hungry, even after you’ve just eaten a meal, it might be because your cells aren’t getting enough glucose. When insulin does not work efficiently, sugar stays in your bloodstream rather than entering the cells, leaving your body feeling for energy and triggering cravings for even more food, especially carbohydrates or sweets such as breads, cakes, pastas, or candy (Schaefer & Lamoreux, 2025).
5. Blurred Vision
If you are experiencing blurred vision, it might be because the body is struggling to effectively regulate your blood sugar, and it is a symptom of prediabetes that you should not ignore. When blood sugar levels are consistently high due to the body’s inability to effectively use glucose, more fluid is drawn into the lens of the eye, causing it to change its shape and size. This change makes it difficult for the eye to focus, leading to blurry or distorted vision. As an important prediabetes symptom, leaving blurred vision unaddressed could lead to the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes, which could cause more serious and long lasting vision problems (CareArc, 2024).
Prediabetes does not have to progress to diabetes. Simple, consistent steps such as maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, managing stress, and choosing whole foods over processed ones can all make a major difference, and in many cases, could reverse prediabetes altogether. It is important to note that any of these early warning signs could also be symptoms of something else. Therefore, it is always essential to consult with a physician or healthcare provider to determine the exact cause of these symptoms. If you suspect prediabetes, ask your healthcare provider for a fasting blood glucose or A1C test! (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
References:
Basile, L.M. (2022). How to reverse prediabetes. HealthCentral. https://www.healthcentral.com
CareArc. (2024). 10 early warning signs of prediabetes you shouldn’t ignore. CareArc. https://
gnore.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About the prediabetes risk test. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/widgets/risktest/about-
Magnani, C. (2023). The 8 warning signs of prediabetes. Nutrisense. https://www.nutrisense.io/
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Prediabetes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Prediabetes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/
Schaefer, A. & Lamoreux, K. (2025). 14 signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Healthline.
Scripps. (2025). Can insulin resistance cause weight gain? Scripps. https://www.scripps.org/new
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