SINGAPORE: By the time you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it is often too late to turn the clock back.

But there’s good news for those at high risk of developing this chronic condition, which has recently come under the spotlight following the launch of Health Promotion Board’s six-month-long “Diabetes Be-aWare” campaign last week.

Early detection and intervention in the pre-diabetes stage may help prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes, experts say.

Pre-diabetes refers to a state when a person’s blood sugar is slightly elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is also clinically known as Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) or Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG).

Apart from having a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, people with pre-diabetes also run a higher risk of developing other complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke.

Said Dr Edward Pratt, consultant endocrinologist at Changi General Hospital: “In the pre-diabetes stage, progression to diabetes is likely but with correct lifestyle modification, this may be prevented or delayed.”

Dr Kevin Tan, vice president of the Diabetic Society of Singapore added that studies have shown that “up to a third of people with pre-diabetes may be able to bring their blood glucose levels back to normal over time”.

“Weight loss, regular exercise and medication work to correct a key defect in pre-diabetes namely the hormone insulin which is ineffective in controlling blood sugar. Through the three measures, the body becomes more ‘sensitive’ to the action of insulin. It works better in controlling blood sugar, and hence sometimes, diabetes can be prevented in the pre-diabetes stage,” explained Dr Tan.

Unfortunately, because pre-diabetes has no significant tell-tale signs, “this stage may skip everyone’s notice”, said Dr Tan.

The fastest and surest way to find out if you have pre-diabetes is to go for a blood test.

IFG can be detected by an early morning blood sample after an overnight fast, while IGT can be detected using an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).

This involves taking a glucose drink and a second blood sample two hours after the first blood test.

If you’re diagnosed with either IFG or IGT, the most important thing to do is to “relook your lifestyle”, advised Dr Pratt.

“Look at your risk factors and how you can change them. Overweight or obese patients should lose weight. Change to a healthy diet and increase daily activity. There are some medications which can help but you can’t pop a pill and expect the problem to go away,” he said. — TODAY/ar