In development of diabetes, microvascular complications occur

When a previously healthy body begins to develop type 2 diabetes, it passes through a number of stages before the full disease becomes present. Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is one of these stages that has become increasingly common in diabetes-related news in recent times, although it was introduced in 1979.
Previously, IGT cases were referred to as latent, chemical or borderline diabetics. People suffering from IGT will commonly have slight inflated HbA1c levels, but usually have other symptoms consistent with metabolic syndromen, one of which is vascular disease.
IGT is now recognised as a precursor to cardiovascular problems, and a recent study has highlighted the problem. Carried out at the diabetes research centre, the study involved 77 IGT sufferers, over half of whom were diabetic. They were researching the early factors that lead to changes in blood vessel walls, by investigating endothelin peptide levels and habits. Levels of endothelin were found to be elevated in IGT subjects when compared to non-diabetic patients.
Blood vessel abnormalities caused by increased endothelin levels can lead to nerve dysfunction and the common diabetes-related condition known as diabetic neuropathy, a leading cause of amputation. The study, and other recent research, identifies the need for early screening to avoid later healthcare problems.