A doctor has issued advice about a condition that often has no symptoms but can turn into type 2 if not properly managed. People with prediabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

If prediabetes is not managed and reversed, blood sugar levels can increase further, which can cause sufferers to develop type 2 diabetes. This causes either the body not to produce enough insulin, or the body's cells not to respond properly to insulin it does produce. Diabetes can cause a range of complications, including and , eye problems, kidney problems, nerve damage and even .

GP Dr regularly shares health advice both on TV and social media. He explained on : "Prediabetes happens when you have elevated blood sugar levels, but they're not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.

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"Most people who have been diagnosed with prediabetes won't have had any symptoms, and it's most likely it will have been picked up on a screening blood test if you are high risk, or you may have been tested for other things and it was picked up opportunistically."

The celebrity GP then outlined the way doctors examine for type 2 diabetes using a blood test called a HbA1c, which measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. "This is a far more accurate way than a random glucose reading to check your sugars," he said.

A HbA1c reading of above 48 indicates diabetes, whereas anything below 41 is normal. A reading of 42-47 indicates prediabetes.

There are a number of things that can affect your likelihood of developing prediabetes and diabetes. Dr Khan outlined several risk factors including ethnicity; genetics; body fat levels; activity levels; diet; taking certain medications; sleep quality; whether you smoke; pre-existing medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); and having gestational diabetes.

"What's important to note is that if you have prediabetes, it is not inevitable that you will develop type 2 diabetes," he added. "You should do all that you can to get your sugars back in that normal range."

Dr Khan recommended those with prediabetes take five steps to get their blood sugar back to a healthy level. Firstly, he suggested losing weight if you are overweight.

"One study revealed that losing seven percent of your weight can reduce the onset of type 2 diabetes by a whopping 58 percent," he shared. The doctor also recommended staying active regularly.

He said: "Exercise helps you use up that excess sugar in your blood and improves how well your insulin works. A single session of moderate intensity exercise can increase glucose uptake from your blood and into your muscles by at least 40 percent."

He recommends opting for a form of exercise you enjoy so you can maintain a routine. He also suggests swapping refined and added sugars for healthier alternatives, including complex carbohydrates, vegetables and lean proteins.

If you're a smoker, Dr Khan recommends quitting to reduce your risk of prediabetes turning into type 2 diabetes. "This will significantly improve your health," he said.

Finally, the doctor says managing your stress and getting good quality sleep is important. "Both [low stress and good sleep] have been linked to reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes by improving the way your body responds to insulin."