Simple diabetes test can check if you are at risk - and need to get medical help
It can be hard to notice the subtle symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes cases are on the rise with 4.3million people living with the condition in the UK according to the charity Diabetes UK. Alongside this, 2.4 million people are at high risk of developing the condition. Often, it can go undetected for a while as you may unintentionally ignore the warning signs, but by answering some simple questions, you can work out whether you have type 2 diabetes, or whether you're at risk of developing the condition.
Type 2 diabetes is where the pancreas organ makes less of the hormone insulin or the body becomes resistant to it. Insulin helps your body turn food into energy and manage your blood sugar levels, but when you have type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels can become very high as your body does not respond to the insulin you make.
This is different to type 1 diabetes where the body stops making insulin altogether. The two conditions are often lumped together but they are different albeit with some similarities. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes, can be quite subtle at first which means they tend to often be overlooked. However, a simple test created by Health Portal Patient - which is used by the NHS - could help reveal if you may have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes - this is where your blood sugars are running high but are not enough to be type 2 diabetes.
The test consists of nine questions, with each of them looking at a different telltale sign of the blood sugar condition. Based on your answers, the test will then give you advice on whether you need to seek medical help.
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Do you have a problem with your weight?
The test asks about your weight as being overweight accounts for 80% to 85% of the overall risk of developing type 2 diabetes according to Diabetes UK. However, one of the symptoms of diabetes - both type 1 and type 2 - is a sudden unexplained weight loss. So if you have struggled with your weight, but have experienced a sudden drop in weight you could be experiencing a symptom.
Have you felt thirstier, or found yourself drinking more than usual recently?
Another key symptom of diabetes is excessive thirst that continues even after you drink. Increased thirst is a symptom of both types of diabetes and is caused by your body’s inability to process the sugar in your blood. Instead, it takes in fluid from your body to try to dilute the sugar, causing thirst. The test will ask you about this problem noting that the onset of excess thirst may be so gradual that you may not even notice it at first.
Are you peeing more than usual?
As you are drinking more then you will be going to the loo more than usual. As well as the extra fluid you drink, your body will also be trying to get rid of the sugar in your urine. However, Patient Access warns that an increased frequency of peeing could also be a symptom of other conditions such as a urinary tract infection.
Have you been experiencing excessive tiredness or fatigue?
Another question from the quiz is trying to determine your energy levels as slow circulation in both diabetes can mean that your body isn’t delivering enough oxygen to your cells, making you feel more tired. High blood sugars also disrupt the body's ability to use sugar for energy and dehydration from increased urination also can leave you feeling tired. This is a common symptom of diabetes however, it can also be a symptom of many conditions, including having an underactive thyroid, depression and poor sleep.
These four questions combined with the remaining five queries - which can be found by clicking here - will determine your risk of type 2 diabetes and give you advice about what to do next. This test however will only indicate whether you could be at risk and you will only receive a concrete confirmation from a doctor through a blood test.
The health portal concludes by saying: "If you suspect you may have or may be developing diabetes, it's important to get a check-up as soon as possible", so if you're concerned, contact your GP.
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