Prediabetes Risk Calculator

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than usual, but not yet in the diabetes range. Many people have no symptoms at all. It is often picked up on routine blood work or screening tests.

Typical lab ranges used in many guidelines

• Fasting blood sugar – usual: below 100 mg/dL; prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL; diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher on repeat tests.
• A1C – usual: below 5.7%; prediabetes: 5.7–6.4%; diabetes: 6.5% or higher on repeat tests.
• OGTT (2-hour oral glucose test) – usual: below 140 mg/dL; prediabetes: 140–199 mg/dL; diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher.

Different countries and organisations may use slightly different cut-offs. Only your healthcare team can interpret your labs in context.

Common types of raised blood sugar

• Prediabetes – a warning stage where lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
• Type 2 diabetes – the most common form, often linked to insulin resistance, weight, genetics and age.
• Type 1 diabetes – an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
• Gestational diabetes – raised blood sugar first found in pregnancy.

Key risk factors this calculator looks at

• Age – risk rises gradually from the mid-30s and more after 45–50.
• Body size – raised BMI and a larger waist are linked with higher insulin resistance.
• Family history – having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes raises lifetime risk.
• Blood pressure – high blood pressure often travels together with metabolic problems.
• Activity level – regular movement can improve insulin sensitivity.
• Blood sugar and A1C – if you add lab values, the score will react more strongly.

What to do with a higher score

A higher SugarRisk score does not mean you definitely have prediabetes or diabetes. It simply suggests you may benefit from:

• Talking to your doctor or nurse about screening and follow-up tests.
• Reviewing your current lifestyle: sleep, movement, stress, smoking, alcohol and food patterns.
• Agreeing on a personalised plan for weight, blood pressure and blood sugar goals.

Important: SugarRisk does not provide medical care, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or ignore medical advice from your doctor because of something you see here. If your numbers worry you or you feel unwell, seek professional care.

Quick answers about prediabetes

What is prediabetes in one sentence?
Prediabetes means your blood sugar is above the usual range but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis, and it signals a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Can prediabetes be reversed?
Many people can move out of the prediabetes range with a combination of weight loss (even 5–7% of body weight), more movement and healthier food choices, especially when changes are made early.

Do only people with overweight get prediabetes?
No. Extra weight around the waist is a strong risk factor, but age, genetics, hormones, sleep, stress, medications and other conditions can raise risk even in people who look “normal weight”.

Is one high blood sugar reading enough to say I have diabetes?
Usually no. Most guidelines ask for repeat testing, and your healthcare team will interpret your results together with symptoms, history and other lab values.

Is an A1C of 5.7–6.4% always dangerous?
This range is often labelled “prediabetes” or “high risk”, but the actual risk depends on factors like age, BMI, waist, blood pressure, family history and other conditions, not on A1C alone.

When to talk to a doctor sooner

SugarRisk cannot tell you what to do next, but the following situations usually deserve a prompt medical discussion:

• If your fasting blood sugar is 126 mg/dL or higher on more than one test, or if an A1C test is 6.5% or higher.
• If your fasting blood sugar is between 100–125 mg/dL or A1C is between 5.7–6.4%, especially if you also have extra weight around the waist, high blood pressure or a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• If you notice symptoms such as unusual thirst, urinating more often, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss or feeling very tired for no clear reason.
• If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy and have any history of gestational diabetes, high blood sugar or strong family history.
• If your numbers are changing quickly over time, even if they are still inside the “usual” range.

Your own doctor or nurse can put your SugarRisk score and your lab values into context and tell you what makes sense for your situation.

Practical steps that often help lower risk

Everyone is different, but these general ideas are often part of a plan to lower long-term diabetes risk. Always personalise them with your healthcare team:

1. Know your baseline numbers. Ask for a copy of your fasting glucose, A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol results, and keep them in one place.
2. Set a realistic weight or waist goal. Even a 5–7% weight reduction can improve insulin sensitivity for many people. For some, simply stopping further weight gain is already progress.
3. Move more in ways you can keep doing. Aim for regular walking or other activities most days of the week, plus some light strength work if your doctor says it is safe.
4. Focus on food patterns, not perfection. More vegetables, fibre, whole grains, beans, nuts and home-cooked meals, and fewer sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks, can gradually shift your risk profile.
5. Protect your sleep and stress levels. Poor sleep and chronic stress can push hormones in a direction that makes blood sugar control harder, even if food and exercise look “OK”.
6. Plan follow-up tests. Agree with your healthcare team how often to repeat labs and blood pressure checks so you can track trends, not just single numbers.

At-a-glance blood sugar and A1C ranges

These ranges are commonly used in many guidelines for adults who are not pregnant. Your country or lab may use slightly different cut-offs:

These numbers are simplified for education. Only a qualified healthcare professional who knows your history can diagnose prediabetes or diabetes and advise on treatment.