Prediabetes: Find Out Before It Finds You

Statistics reveal that 1 out of 10 people with prediabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes in a year. Don’t let this happen to you – take the first step in prevention by getting a finger prick test!

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

FEATURED EXPERT PROFESSOR EMERITA DR CHAN SIEW PHENG Consultant Endocrinologist Chairman of Stand Against Prediabetes (SAPd) Programme

WHY PREDIABETES IS A GROWING HEALTH CONCERN

Professor Emerita Dr Chan Siew Pheng explains that prediabetes is a condition in which one has high blood glucose level but not high enough to be considered as having type 2 diabetes.

If left unchecked, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes.

• 1 out of 10 people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within a year.
• 7 out of 10 people with prediabetes end up developing type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Professor Dr Chan adds that research also found that unmanaged prediabetes can lead to serious complications such as:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Vision loss
• Nerve damage
• Chronic kidney disease

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2021, approximately 3.5 million (15.5%) of Malaysian adults have impaired glucose tolerance, indicating the presence of prediabetes.

Prediabetes Has No Symptoms

Professor Dr Chan points out that early detection allows for one to carry out lifestyle intervention and, if necessary, take medications to prevent the development of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

However, because prediabetes has no symptoms, most people are not aware that they have this condition.

TIME TO STAND AGAINST PREDIABETES

To address this issue, the Malaysian Endocrine & Metabolic Society (MEMS) has launched the Stand Against Prediabetes (SAPd) Programme in collaboration with seven other medical and allied health societies.

Check, Confirm, Consult, Change

Until June 2025, you can get a free simple finger prick test to check if your blood glucose level is high at 735 pharmacies in Malaysia, including:

• Alpro Pharmacy
• AM PM Pharmacy
• BIG Pharmacy
• FirstCare Pharmacy
• Health Lane Pharmacy
• HTM Pharmacy
• Mega Kulim Pharmacy
• Farmasi Murni
• Pure Pharmacy
• Straits Pharmacy
• Sunlight Pharmacy
• Vision Pharmacy

Based on data from the programme:

• Over 65,000 individuals have undergone a finger prick blood glucose test at these participating pharmacies.
• Among those tested, more than 14,000 individuals were found to have abnormally high blood glucose levels.

What Happens When the Finger Prick Test Result is High?

Professor Dr Chan tells us that the finger prick test alone cannot diagnose prediabetes.

• “If you find that your blood glucose level is high, the next step is to undergo a proper blood test — a HbA1c or a fasting plasma glucose test, which can be arranged through your doctor or a diagnostic lab, to confirm if you have prediabetes,” she says.
• She adds: “If your blood test results indicate a prediabetes diagnosis, it is vital to consult with your doctor. They can guide you through your specific needs to manage your condition and bring back your blood glucose level to normal.”
• She also stresses the importance of regular follow-ups to track the progress of treatment and provide the encouragement needed to stay on course towards better health.