Diabetes doesn’t start overnight. For many people — especially within the African and Caribbean communities — it begins quietly, with a stage called prediabetes. This is when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
At this stage, there are usually no symptoms, but the risk of developing diabetes is high. The good news? You can still stop it.
🔔 What Is Prediabetes? (NHS Call It “Non-Diabetic Hyperglycaemia”)
According to the NHS, prediabetes is often called non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, and it’s when:
- Your HbA1c level is 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0% to 6.4%), or
- Your fasting blood glucose is 5.5 to 6.9 mmol/L
Anything above this range becomes type 2 diabetes.
The challenge? Many Nigerians living in the UK don’t know they’re in this danger zone — often because they haven’t been tested.
🧪 Who Should Get Tested? (Based on NHS and Diabetes UK Guidance)
You should ask your GP for a blood sugar check if you:
- Are over 40 (or over 25 if you’re African, Caribbean, South Asian, or from another high-risk group)
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Are overweight, especially with fat around your belly
- Have high blood pressure, cholesterol, or have had a stroke or heart disease
- Had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Are physically inactive
- Are of African descent (including Nigerians) — which puts you at higher genetic risk
In England, the NHS Health Check (for people aged 40–74) includes a diabetes risk assessment. If you’re eligible, it’s free — ask your GP.
You can also check your risk using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Tool:
🔗 https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk
⚠️ Why It Matters
Without changes, up to 50% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years.
But it doesn’t have to happen.
The NHS promotes a 3-step prevention plan:
- Healthy Eating – Reduce sugar, fried foods, white rice, and white bread. Eat more vegetables, whole grains, beans, fish, and lean meats.
- Move More – Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This could be brisk walks, dancing, or even skipping at home.
- Lose Weight – Even losing 5-10% of your weight can reduce your risk significantly.
If you’re diagnosed with prediabetes, your GP may refer you to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme — a free 9-month lifestyle change programme run locally.
😨 The Risk of Ignoring It
Type 2 diabetes can damage nearly every part of the body:
- ✅ Eyes (can lead to blindness)
- ✅ Kidneys (can cause kidney failure)
- ✅ Heart and Blood Vessels (increased risk of heart attack and stroke)
- ✅ Feet (slow-healing wounds can lead to amputation)
- ✅ Nerves (leading to numbness or chronic pain)
Let’s be real — many of us know someone who’s lost a leg or gone blind because of diabetes. Prevention is always better than managing complications.
✅ Take Action Today:
- 📞 Ask your GP about a blood sugar check
- 🏃🏽♀️ Get moving — walking 30 mins a day is a great start
- 🥗 Swap the white rice and white bread for brown alternatives
- 👨🏾⚕️ Use your NHS Health Check if you’re 40–74
- 🧮 Try the Diabetes UK Risk Calculator online
You have the power to stop diabetes before it starts.
#NaijaUKConnectHealth 💙 | #PrediabetesAwareness | #NHSHealthTips | #WellnessInDiaspora | #KnowYourNumbers
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