Pre-Diabetes in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pre-diabetes is increasingly common in West Michigan, including right here in Grand Rapids. Understanding your risk and making changes early can help you prevent type 2 diabetes and serious complications.

What Is Pre-Diabetes?

Pre-diabetes (also called Impaired Fasting Glucose – IFG or Impaired Glucose Tolerance – IGT) occurs when your blood sugar (blood glucose) is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Without lifestyle changes, about 1 in 3 people with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes.

In Grand Rapids, primary care providers at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health routinely screen adults for pre-diabetes, especially those with risk factors.

What Is Diabetes?

Your body uses a hormone called insulin to move glucose (sugar) from the blood into your cells, where it is used for energy.

Diabetes is a condition where blood glucose is too high over time. This happens when:

  • The pancreas does not make insulin (type 1 diabetes), or
  • The pancreas does not make enough insulin and the insulin does not work properly (insulin resistance), which is typical in type 2 diabetes.

When this happens, glucose builds up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage:

  • Blood vessels and nerves
  • Heart and blood circulation (increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke)
  • Eyes
  • Kidneys
  • Feet

Type 2 diabetes can often be managed with:

  • Healthy eating
  • Regular physical activity
  • Weight loss (if overweight)
  • Diabetes medications as prescribed

The goal of diabetes management is to keep blood sugar in a healthy range and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Why Pre-Diabetes Matters in Grand Rapids

Pre-diabetes usually has no symptoms, so many people in Grand Rapids may have it and not know. Local factors can increase risk:

  • Cold Michigan winters can reduce physical activity, leading to weight gain and higher blood sugar.
  • Comfort foods and high-calorie winter diets can make blood sugar harder to control.
  • Sedentary jobs common in urban areas like Grand Rapids can also contribute.

Because there are no obvious symptoms, it is important to know your risk factors and get regular check-ups with your Grand Rapids primary care provider.

Risk Factors for Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes

The risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as those for type 2 diabetes. You are at higher risk if you have:

  • Family history of type 2 diabetes (parent, brother, sister)
  • Overweight or obesity
  • Increased waist measurement, especially:
    • Caucasian men: > 94 cm (about 37 inches)
    • Asian men: > 90 cm (about 35 inches)
    • Women: > 80 cm (about 31.5 inches)
  • Low physical activity (less than 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week)
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol or high triglycerides
  • History of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Use of certain antipsychotic medications
  • Belonging to a higher‑risk ethnic group, including:
    • African American
    • Hispanic/Latino
    • Native American
    • Asian American
    • Pacific Islander
    • Middle Eastern

In the Grand Rapids area, with its diverse and growing population, many residents fall into one or more of these higher-risk groups.

How Pre-Diabetes Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

Any blood test that shows higher-than-normal blood sugar should be followed up. Your doctor may order one or more of the following tests:

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

This is considered the best test for diagnosing pre-diabetes. It involves:

  1. Fasting overnight
  2. Having your fasting blood sugar checked
  3. Drinking a sweet glucose drink
  4. Having blood sugar checked again 2 hours later

Results will show whether your blood sugar is:

  • Normal
  • In the pre-diabetes range
  • In the diabetes range

If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you may have:

  • Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG)
    • Fasting blood sugar is higher than optimal, but not high enough for diabetes
  • Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)
    • Blood sugar 2 hours after the OGTT is higher than optimal, but not in the diabetes range

Pre-diabetes is diagnosed by laboratory blood tests, which can be done at hospital labs or outpatient labs across Grand Rapids, including those affiliated with Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

Your doctor will usually recommend a repeat OGTT in about 12 months, or sooner if you develop symptoms of diabetes (such as increased thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss).

Can Pre-Diabetes Be Reversed?

In many cases, yes. Pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease can often be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. These changes are especially important in a city like Grand Rapids, where seasonal weather can limit outdoor activity for several months of the year.

Key Lifestyle Changes

1. Weight Loss (If Overweight)

Even a small weight loss of 5–10% of your body weight can:

  • Improve how well insulin works in your body
  • Lower blood sugar levels
  • Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol

Grand Rapids offers many resources to support weight loss, including:

  • Hospital-based weight management programs at Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Nutrition counseling through local clinics and registered dietitians
  • Community fitness programs and walking groups

2. Regular Physical Activity

Exercise makes your insulin work better and helps lower your:

  • Blood sugar
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol

Aim for:

  • At least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity (such as brisk walking)
  • Muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days per week

In Grand Rapids, you can stay active year-round by:

  • Walking in indoor malls or community centers during winter
  • Using local gyms and fitness centers
  • Taking advantage of parks and trails like Millennium Park, Riverside Park, and the Kent Trails in warmer months

3. Healthy Eating

A healthy diet for pre-diabetes includes:

  • More:

    • Vegetables and fruits
    • High-fiber whole grains
    • Lean protein (fish, skinless poultry, beans, lentils)
    • Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, oily fish)

  • Less:

    • Sugary drinks (soda, sweet tea, energy drinks)
    • Sweets and desserts
    • Refined grains (white bread, white rice, pastries)
    • Saturated and trans fats (fried foods, processed meats)

Many Grand Rapids healthcare systems have diabetes education programs and dietitians who can help you create a realistic meal plan that fits local food preferences and seasonal options.

4. Stopping Smoking

Smoking:

  • Increases insulin resistance
  • Damages blood vessels
  • Raises the risk of heart attack and stroke

Quitting smoking is one of the most powerful steps you can take to reduce your risk of diabetes complications. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can connect you with local tobacco-cessation resources and support programs.

5. Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Control

High blood pressure and high cholesterol often occur together with pre-diabetes. They should be:

  • Checked regularly by your doctor
  • Treated with lifestyle changes and medications if needed

Managing these reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke, which are major concerns for people with pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Do You Need to Check Your Blood Sugar at Home?

Most people with pre-diabetes do not need to check their blood sugar with a home meter. Your doctor will usually monitor your blood sugar with:

  • Fasting blood tests
  • Hemoglobin A1c (average blood sugar over 2–3 months)
  • Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) as needed

Your provider in Grand Rapids will tell you if home monitoring is recommended in your specific case.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Talk to a healthcare provider if you:

  • Have any of the risk factors listed above
  • Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
  • Notice symptoms such as:
    • Increased thirst
    • Frequent urination
    • Blurred vision
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Fatigue

You can start with:

  • Your primary care provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • A local community health center
  • Clinics connected with the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health

Local Resources for Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Support

Grand Rapids and Kent County offer several resources for education, screening, and support:

  • Primary Care Clinics and Endocrinology Practices

    • Available through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and independent practices

  • Diabetes Education Programs

    • Hospital-based diabetes and nutrition education classes
    • Group and individual counseling with certified diabetes care and education specialists

  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health

    • Community health programs
    • Smoking cessation support
    • Nutrition and physical activity initiatives

  • American Diabetes Association (ADA)

    • Educational materials, online tools, and local event information

Check with your insurance or local health system for programs specifically tailored to pre-diabetes prevention in West Michigan.

Key Points About Pre-Diabetes in Grand Rapids

  • Pre-diabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
  • Most people with pre-diabetes have no symptoms, so regular screening is important.
  • Risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as for type 2 diabetes, including family history, overweight, inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and certain ethnic backgrounds.
  • Lifestyle changes—weight loss (if overweight), healthy eating, regular exercise, and quitting smoking—can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • In many cases, with enough lifestyle change, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed.
  • Grand Rapids residents have access to strong local healthcare systems and public health resources to help manage and prevent pre-diabetes.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and are concerned about pre-diabetes, schedule an appointment with your doctor or a local clinic to discuss screening and prevention options tailored to you.