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The new name for Lets Get will shortly move to Healthy Dudley and will also have a brand new website to boot! More information will follow soon!

What is diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body either does not produce enough insulin, or much more commonly, when the body develops a resistance to using insulin, called insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, enough insulin is produced, but the body is unable to use it. This leads to more insulin being produced to compensate and maintain normal glucose levels.

This situation may continue for some time, but eventually this compensation mechanism starts to become overwhelmed, especially if the condition is not treated, leading to high levels of insulin and also high levels of glucose in the blood. These high glucose levels are detectable and may cause symptoms. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed if the fasting level of blood glucose is 7.0 mmol/l or more, or the non-fasting level is 11.1 mmol/l or more; or your glycolyzed haemoglobin, HbA1c is 48 mmol/mol or more. A result of 42 – 47mmol/mol would mean that you will be identified as at ‘risk of developing diabetes’ and you will be offered help by your GP to reduce this, plus an annual check up. The test is always completed twice to confirm the diagnosis, so expect a second test.

The symptoms to look out for are any of the following which may have changed from your usual pattern, or are unusual for you:

  • Passing urine more often, especially at night
  • Feeling more thirsty
  • Feeling tired
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Genital itching
  • Blurred vision
  • Wounds being slow to heal

Do you know if you are at risk?

Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:

  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night
  • Feeling very tired
  • Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
  • Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
  • Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
  • Blurred vision

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.

Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general.

Do you know what factors can effect the likelihood of you developing Diabetes? Answer the 9 question quiz to learn the effects and highlight any relevant risk factors.

Diabetes UK has a test to find out if you’re at risk from type 2 diabetes

Want more information?

Visit the Diabetes UK pages to find out lots more about diabetes, including preventing diabetes and living with diabetes.

You can also visit NHS Choices.

If you are worried you might have diabetes or need support contact your GP.

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