Impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) may also be known as pre-diabetes  or metabolic syndrome

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Impaired fasting glycemia occurs when blood glucose levels in the body are elevated during periods of fasting, but not enough to prompt a diagnosis of diabetes.

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Effectively, a person with impaired fasting glycemia isn’t able to process glucose as efficiently as they should be able to.

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What are the health implications of impaired fasting glycemia?

People with impaired fasting glycemia face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, despite having less of a risk than those with impaired glucose tolerance. 

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The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is also lower than for people with impaired glucose tolerance.

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What does impaired fasting glycemia mean?

Impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) means that the body cannot regulate glucose as efficiently as it should be able to.

Glucose is usually carried around the body where it is absorbed and made into energy.

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Insulin regulates the concentration of glucose in the blood.

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IFG occurs when this process isn’t functioning as effectively as it could, and effects millions of people.

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What are the symptoms of impaired fasting glycemia?

Unfortunately, IFG may exhibit very little in the way of symptoms, meaning diagnosis often takes a long time. Many people diagnosed with IFG are overweight, have high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels or a family history of IFG.

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