Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCauses/Risk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes/Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Glucose intolerance is an umbrella term for a group of metabolic conditions that result in higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. This includesdiabetesandprediabetes.
Glucose intolerance also refers to the conditions ofimpaired fasting glucoseandimpaired glucose tolerance. Those are different diagnoses that are based on which test revealed prediabetes.
This article looks at the various types of glucose intolerance plus their symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatments.
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Types of Glucose Intolerance
Glucose intolerance comes in several types, including:
Impaired Fasting Glucose
Impaired fasting glucose is a stage in the natural progression toward diabetes. If you’re diagnosed with this, your risk of developing diabetes is high.
This condition involves fasting glucose levels that are above normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Glucose values for impaired fasting glucose are:
The diagnosis of impaired fasting glucose gives you an opportunity to prevent or delay the development of diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider to come up with a plan that’ll help reduce your risk.
Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Impaired glucose tolerance is known as an increased risk of developingtype 2 diabetes. Many individuals do not have symptoms for a long time.
Intermediate Hyperglycemia (or Prediabetes)
Intermediate hyperglycemia involves both impaired fasting glucose and impaired tolerance. It’s also calledprediabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says one in three Americans has intermittent hyperglycemia, and more than 84% don’t know they have it.
When you’re at the prediabetic stage, your cells don’t properly respond to insulin. The pancreas then produces more insulin to help the cells respond. When this a lot, the pancreas has a hard time producing enough insulin, and your blood sugar rises.
This is the beginning of prediabetes; if it’s not managed or prevented, it can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Intype 2 diabetes, the body’s response to insulin is further compromised and the blood sugar levels are higher. The condition can lead to a number of complications, such as:
If you have type 2 diabetes, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to develop and follow a treatment plan.
Symptoms of Glucose Intolerance
Glucose intolerance does not have clear symptoms, but you may have the same signs as someone with diabetes. These include:
Causes and Risk Factors
The suspected causes and risk factors for glucose intolerance are essentially the same. They include:
Groups with a Higher Prevalence of DiabetesAccording to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, type 2 diabetes is more common in people who are:African AmericanNative AmericanNative AlaskanNative HawaiianAsian AmericanHispanicPacific Islander
Groups with a Higher Prevalence of Diabetes
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, type 2 diabetes is more common in people who are:African AmericanNative AmericanNative AlaskanNative HawaiianAsian AmericanHispanicPacific Islander
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, type 2 diabetes is more common in people who are:
Diagnosis of Glucose Intolerance
Several tests can diagnose glucose intolerance conditions:
The results of these tests will help your healthcare provider determine which condition you have.
Treatment of Glucose Intolerance
Conditions involving glucose intolerance are treated with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication.
Lifestyle Changes
You may be able to fully control your glucose intolerance with changes to three elements of your lifestyle:
An added bonus is that these changes are also considered heart-healthy.
Medications
Not everyone can control their glucose intolerance through lifestyle changes. In those cases, medication becomes necessary. The two main types are:
You inject insulin at home either on a set schedule or to correct high blood glucose readings.Your healthcare provider or a diabetic educator will help you understand how to use and adjust your insulin.
Summary
Glucose intolerance is an umbrella term for impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Symptoms may be absent or may include diabetes symptoms such as excessive thirst, fatigue, and frequent urination.
Causes and risk factors include age, weight, genetics, and lifestyle factors. Several tests can diagnose these conditions. Treatment typically includes dietary changes, more exercise, losing weight and, if necessary, medications.
If you have symptoms of glucose intolerance, it is important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider. They can help guide you in the right direction and create a proper plan so you can manage your condition and have a healthy outcome.
Frequently Asked QuestionsGlucose intolerance is a term used to describe metabolic conditions that result in higher than normal blood sugar levels. Conditions that fall under the umbrella of glucose intolerance include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).The exact cause of glucose intolerance is unclear, but there are a few things that can increase your risk for it. Some risk factors are within your control to change, such as eating a well-balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing your weight. Other risk factors are nonmodifiable. These include age and having a family history of diabetes or prediabetes.Possibly, depending on how far along glucose intolerance has progressed. Impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and prediabetes-related glucose intolerance may improve with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.Some people with type 2 diabetes are able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels without medication through diet and exercise. However, a return to the standard American diet will cause their blood sugar to rise again.
Glucose intolerance is a term used to describe metabolic conditions that result in higher than normal blood sugar levels. Conditions that fall under the umbrella of glucose intolerance include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
The exact cause of glucose intolerance is unclear, but there are a few things that can increase your risk for it. Some risk factors are within your control to change, such as eating a well-balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing your weight. Other risk factors are nonmodifiable. These include age and having a family history of diabetes or prediabetes.
Possibly, depending on how far along glucose intolerance has progressed. Impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and prediabetes-related glucose intolerance may improve with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.Some people with type 2 diabetes are able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels without medication through diet and exercise. However, a return to the standard American diet will cause their blood sugar to rise again.
Possibly, depending on how far along glucose intolerance has progressed. Impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and prediabetes-related glucose intolerance may improve with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.
Some people with type 2 diabetes are able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels without medication through diet and exercise. However, a return to the standard American diet will cause their blood sugar to rise again.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association.Understanding A1C: diagnosis.Bansal N.Prediabetes diagnosis and treatment: A review.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(2):296-303. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.296Di Bonito P, Pacifico L, Chiesa C, et al.Impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(4):409-416. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0576-8Centers for Disease Control.Prediabetes. your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes symptoms.American Heart Association.Prediabetes modifiable risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.Al-Goblan AS, Al-Alfi MA, Khan MZ.Mechanism linking diabetes mellitus and obesity.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2014;7:587-591. Published 2014 Dec 4. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S67400American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Diabetes.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diagnosis.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association.Understanding A1C: diagnosis.Bansal N.Prediabetes diagnosis and treatment: A review.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(2):296-303. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.296Di Bonito P, Pacifico L, Chiesa C, et al.Impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(4):409-416. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0576-8Centers for Disease Control.Prediabetes. your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes symptoms.American Heart Association.Prediabetes modifiable risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.Al-Goblan AS, Al-Alfi MA, Khan MZ.Mechanism linking diabetes mellitus and obesity.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2014;7:587-591. Published 2014 Dec 4. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S67400American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Diabetes.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diagnosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Diabetes Association.Understanding A1C: diagnosis.Bansal N.Prediabetes diagnosis and treatment: A review.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(2):296-303. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.296Di Bonito P, Pacifico L, Chiesa C, et al.Impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(4):409-416. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0576-8Centers for Disease Control.Prediabetes. your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes symptoms.American Heart Association.Prediabetes modifiable risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.Al-Goblan AS, Al-Alfi MA, Khan MZ.Mechanism linking diabetes mellitus and obesity.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2014;7:587-591. Published 2014 Dec 4. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S67400American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Diabetes.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diagnosis.
American Diabetes Association.Understanding A1C: diagnosis.
Bansal N.Prediabetes diagnosis and treatment: A review.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(2):296-303. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.296
Di Bonito P, Pacifico L, Chiesa C, et al.Impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity.J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(4):409-416. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0576-8
Centers for Disease Control.Prediabetes. your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes symptoms.
American Heart Association.Prediabetes modifiable risk factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.
Al-Goblan AS, Al-Alfi MA, Khan MZ.Mechanism linking diabetes mellitus and obesity.Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2014;7:587-591. Published 2014 Dec 4. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S67400
American Academy of Family Physicians: familydoctor.org.Diabetes.
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Diagnosis.
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