Diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by high levels of sugar in the blood on a permanent basis. It’s a disease that requires proper medical monitoring since it can cause many complications affecting the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves and even blood vessels. Prediabetes is characterised by high and abnormal blood sugar levels, but they are not high enough to make people really sick. Prediabetes is diagnosed when the fasting blood sugar level is between 1.10 g/L and 1.25 g/L (a normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 1.10 g/L). However, 80% of prediabetics are at risk of developing diabetes within five to 10 years if it is left unchecked. In fact, tissues will gradually become resistant to insulin. It is important to diagnose prediabetes in order to take action and prevent type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is not a disease, but it can develop into one if left unchecked. Learn more about the difference between diabetes and prediabetes