Diabetes blood testing service (Hba1c)
Could you be at risk of type 2 diabetes, or do you want to keep an eye on how well your diabetes is controlled? In the UK, around 7 million people are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. At Northern Clinics we offer a quick and easy blood test with results available on-site within 10 minutes. Book in today at one of our clinics for a diabetes test and peace of mind. In this week’s blog, we look at the different types of diabetes, what might increase your chances of developing diabetes and the key symptoms you should watch out for.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in childhood. This type results from the body not being able to make a hormone called insulin. Insulin is normally made by the pancreas but in people with type 1 diabetes, their own body attacks cells in the pancreas meaning it doesn’t make insulin like it should. Insulin is very important as it helps our body use up the glucose (sugars) in our blood as a source of fuel. Without insulin, the glucose stays in the bloodstream and can cause damage to different parts of the body including the eyes, kidneys, heart and feet.
In Type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin in the pancreas but either too little is made or the insulin that is made doesn’t work properly. Again, like people with type 1 diabetes, this causes sugars (glucose) to rise in the blood which can give rise to what we call the complications of diabetes (e.g. kidney damage).
The good news is that with the right treatments for both type 1 and 2, people can live well with diabetes. Keeping blood sugars well controlled is really important to help reduce the chance of any complications developing. Depending on the type of diabetes, treatments can range from diet and lifestyle changes to tablets and/or injection medications including insulin.
Risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes
The table below shows you some of the factors that might put you at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and some key symptoms to watch out for.
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Risk factors |
Symptoms |
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· Being overweight or obese or not very physically active · Increasing age: people aged over 40 (or over 25 for certain ethnic groups including black African, Asian and black Caribbean) · Close family history of type 2 diabetes (e.g. parent or sibling who has it) · Gestational diabetes in pregnancy · Certain ethnic groups including those of African, Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent
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· Peeing more frequently · Feeling thirsty a lot of the time · Feeling very tired · Weight loss without trying · Increased hunger · Repeated cases of thrush/itching · Wounds/cuts taking a long time to heal · Blurry vision · Numbness in hands or feet |
You can find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes using a tool developed by Diabetes UK: Diabetes UK – Know Your Risk of Type 2 diabetes. You will need an accurate measurement of your height, waist and weight to find out your risk.
Why should you get tested for diabetes?
Diabetes screening tests (including HbA1c testing) can be beneficial for those who have risk factors for developing diabetes. This includes people who are overweight or those with a close family member (e.g. parent) who has diabetes. Certain ethnic groups, including African, Asian or Afro-Caribbean groups are 2-4 times more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, compared with white people. At Northern Clinics, we provide a discreet, convenient and professional diabetes testing service on-site. We are here to help you understand the results of your test, answer any questions you may have and provide advice on what steps to take next.
How our testing service works
The HbA1c test (also called the glycated haemoglobin test) can be used to help identify people with Type 2 diabetes. It can also help tell people who already have diabetes how well their blood sugars have been controlled over the last three months. If the test result shows that you are pre-diabetic, then it is important to monitor this and get re-tested each year to keep an eye on your levels. Even if the test shows your levels are within the normal range, it is still really important to look for the signs of diabetes in future (e.g. excessive tiredness or thirst, frequent urination or unexplained weight loss). Always seek medical advice if you spot any potential symptoms of diabetes or if you have any questions or worries. We are happy to help answer your questions on diabetes and look forward to welcoming you soon to Northern Clinics.
This blog was written by Dr Deborah Patton, MPSNI, MPharm, PhD (Community Pharmacist at Northern Pharmacies).
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