Diabetes is a condition in which the body fails to regulate blood sugar levels. There are several types. The most common are called type 1 and type 2. Both have the same symptom, high blood sugar levels caused by problems regulating insulin.
According to Diabetes UK, “Around 90% of people with diabetes in the UK have type 2. It is serious condition and can be lifelong. Having type 2 diabetes without treatment means that high sugar levels in your blood can seriously damage parts of your body, including your eyes, heart and feet”.
Some people who take steroids can go on to develop diabetes. Not everyone exhibits symptoms. Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, or pre-diabetes. People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes. The US Centre for Disease Control states, “In the United States, about 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes. More than 8 in 10 people with prediabetes don't know they have it. With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.”
Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes
• overweight or obesity
• family history of type 2 diabetes
• poor diet
• Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin
• steroids for a long time
• high blood pressure
Diabetes is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests that measure blood glucose levels. The most common tests include the haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test, which provides an average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Fasting plasma glucose test, which measures blood glucose after an overnight fast. Other tests include the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and random blood sugar tests. Another is C-peptide, a substance released when the body produces insulin, allowing doctors to distinguish between insulin the body produces and insulin administered externally. Our diabetes check provides information on all of these as does the information from Diabetes UK on their ‘how to test for diabetes’ page. Confirmation of a diagnosis of diabetes requires a doctor’s assessment, but private blood tests are widely available at pharmacies, aesthetic clinics and GPs. These may provide reassurance that all is well, or early warning that action is required to obtain a diagnosis and treatment.
There is a difference between so-called ‘home testing’ kits sold in boxes, usually on the internet, and a laboratory test performed using samples collected by a trained phlebotomist (a person trained to take blood, usually from the arm).
According to Diabetes UK, “A finger prick test using a home testing kit or data from a continuous glucose monitor may show you have high blood sugar levels but won't confirm you have diabetes. You'll need a blood test sent to a laboratory to diagnose diabetes.”
Many pharmacists, aesthetic clinics and private GPs can provide this service. TFI Biomedical provide two test profiles for Diabetes;
Plasma Glucose (Fasting /Random)
Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C)
Plasma Glucose (Fasting /Random)
Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C)
Insulin C-Peptide
