The answer is prediabetes.

I've previously explained what prediabetes means—it refers to impaired glucose regulation, including impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance.

Repeating the concepts for clarity:

Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG): Refers to fasting blood glucose levels greater than 5.6 mmol/L but less than 7 mmol/L.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT): Means a 2-hour blood glucose level greater than 7.8 mmol/L but less than 11.1 mmol/L during an oral glucose tolerance test.

These are the prediabetic manifestations, which are more evident during the progression of type 2 diabetes. They represent a transitional stage between a healthy state and diabetes—known as the golden reversal period—as well as the last critical checkpoint to prevent progression to full-blown diabetes. Therefore, Professor Tang Wei, a renowned endocrinology expert in China, emphasizes that early detection of IFG and IGT, followed by timely and effective intervention, is key to preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.

Speaking of this, Dr. Wu really feels helpless. For every patient diagnosed with prediabetes in my clinic, I provide a detailed explanation, clearly stating the severity and importance. However, very few truly take it to heart—out of 100 people, at most 10 will take this stage seriously and actively intervene. The majority believe that since they don’t feel any discomfort, it's not a big deal. They think they're still young and just need to pay a little attention when they get home, only to develop full-blown diabetes a few years later. Then there are those who simply don’t listen at all—they’re impatient. So now, when Dr. Wu encounters such cases, I only explain it once. If you take it seriously, you’ll benefit and avoid diabetes. If you don’t bother listening, that’s it—I won’t repeat myself.

Research shows that among patients with impaired glucose tolerance, at least one-third will develop diabetes within the next 5–10 years, one-third will return to normal, and one-third will remain unchanged.

So the question is—do you have impaired glucose tolerance? Have you made timely interventions and adjustments? Which of these three outcomes do you want to belong to?