A guide to glucose intolerance

Glucose is a sugar the body uses as a main energy source. Usually sourced from carbohydrates, glucose travels throughout our bloodstream to cells through insulin. In this guide, we explore glucose intolerance, its causes, symptoms, and available treatments.

What is glucose intolerance?

Glucose intolerance refers to various metabolism conditions that result in higher blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Conditions such as diabetes are considered glucose intolerance conditions. Glucose intolerance conditions include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Pre-diabetes
• Impaired fasting glucose
• Impaired glucose tolerance

Glucose intolerance can also include conditions such as impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. Impaired fasting glucose is a prediabetes condition where blood sugar levels are high than normal but not too high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Impaired glucose tolerance is where blood sugar levels are high and most at risk of developing diabetes. People with high blood sugar levels must manage glucose consumption in their diet. Taking preventive steps with impaired glucose tolerance can reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

There are different levels of glucose intolerance. Depending on the level (or milligrams per decilitre) of glucose intolerance will affect your diagnosis.

• Normal glucose levels – less than 100mg/dl
• Impaired fasting glucose – between 100 and 125mg/dl
• Impaired glucose tolerance – between 140 and 199mg/dl
• Intermediate hyperglycaemia – between 100 and 125mg/dl
• Type 2 diabetes – above 125mg/dl

What are the causes of glucose intolerance?

Glucose intolerance is a condition that can affect any. However, several factors can increase your risk of glucose intolerance.

• Age – those over 45 are more likely to develop glucose intolerance.
• Obesity – those who are overweight are at higher risk as the extra body fat affects hormones that contribute to insulin use problems.
• Diet – a high-fat or diet rich in fat-high products, such as fatty meat and sweet treats, is at higher risk.
• Genetics – those with a parent or sibling with diabetes can increase the risk of high glucose.
• Sedentary lifestyles – those who live a sedentary life are at higher risk of developing insulin-related problems.

What are the symptoms of glucose intolerance?

Those with glucose intolerance will show symptoms. Many glucose intolerance symptoms are the same or similar to those experienced by someone with type 2 diabetes. The signs or symptoms you could experience include:

More frequent need to empty your bladder - those with high blood sugar levels will suffer from an imbalance of dissolved particles in their urine. Excessive levels of sugar in the bladder results in the body attempting to dilute the sugar level by releasing fluids. This is most experience during the night.

Feeling thirsty – due to the body removing fluids from the body to try to balance sugar levels, your body will become dehydrated, leading to increased thirst feelings. Feeling thirsty more often without an obvious reason, such as physical exercise, can indicate glucose intolerance.

Increase feelings of tiredness and fatigue – those with glucose intolerance will result in cells not being able to transform glucose into energy properly. When the body cannot properly use glucose, feelings of tiredness and fatigue are more likely.

Feeling hungry – If your body’s cells are starved of energy, it can lead your body to think you are hungry. Those who eat normally but still feel hungry could indicate glucose intolerance.

Unexplained weight loss – when the body cannot properly use glucose for energy, the body starts using stored fat instead. This can result in both weight and muscle loss.

Dark patches on the skin – glucose intolerance can also cause dark patches to appear on the skin. This condition is known as acanthosis nigricans and usually appears on skin folds (such as the neck and armpits).

High blood sugar levels – these symptoms may be much harder to spot if you don’t measure your blood sugar levels. However, high blood sugar levels can be a good indicator of glucose intolerance. A fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125mg/dl could indicate glucose intolerance.

How can you treat glucose intolerance?

Depending on the level of glucose intolerance will depend on how to treat it. Some require changing their lifestyle, while others require medication to manage glucose levels. Your GP will recommend the best treatment for glucose intolerance.

Most people with glucose intolerance can make changes to their lifestyle to better manage or treat glucose intolerance. Lifestyles you can make to treat glucose intolerance include maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet.

Other lifestyle factors that should be considered for treating glucose intolerance include quitting smoking, staying within the recommended alcohol limit per week, and keeping physically active for at least 30 minutes per day can help prevent glucose intolerance from becoming type 2 diabetes.

Other people may need to take medication to treat glucose intolerance. Certain medications that can be prescribed include medication for blood pressure, metformin used for diabetes, or statins that help lower bad cholesterol levels.

For those with glucose intolerance, it is important to take the necessary steps that can help minimise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.