What is impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)?
IGT means that the body has become less sensitive to the effects of insulin,
and has to work harder to control blood glucose levels. A person with IGT has
blood sugar (glucose) levels that are higher than normal but not high enough
to say they have diabetes. As in type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin,
but there may be less of it, or it may not work properly.
People with IGT are not only at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, but are
also 50% more likely to develop high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels
- factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke.
A friend of mine has insulin resistance…is this the same as IGT?
No. Insulin resistance occurs when the body stops responding as well to insulin.
To compensate, the body makes more insulin. But because the body doesn't respond
as well to insulin, the higher insulin levels cannot control blood glucose as
effectively. As insulin resistance increases, diabetes can eventually result.
Who is at risk of developing IGT?
People that are extremely overweight or obese are at risk of developing IGT,
especially those people carrying extra weight around their middle. This is because
carrying extra body fat inhibits the effects of insulin. With weight loss, glucose
levels will likely return to normal levels. Because there is less resistance
to insulin, more glucose is transported from the blood into tissue cells. Losing
weight will also help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Your risk of developing IGT and type 2 diabetes also increases if you are physically
inactive, have a family history of diabetes, gestational diabetes (i.e. having
diabetes while pregnant), gave birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds
at birth, and if you are of American Indian, Hispanic, African, or Pacific Island descent.
