Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring (HbA1c)

Understanding Diabetes: Diagnosis and Monitoring (HbA1c)

Undiagnosed and untreated diabetes mellitus can significantly shorten your life and cause considerable discomfort. This condition results in excess glucose (sugar) in the blood, damaging small blood vessels and subsequently affecting nearly every organ and system in the body.

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, removes sugar from the blood and deposits it inside cells where it is needed. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% of diabetes cases, occurs when the body does not respond to insulin properly. This form of diabetes is due to a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors and is often difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone. It can be present for years before treatment begins.

Type 1 diabetes makes up the remaining 10% of cases and is caused by the body's autoimmune attack on the pancreas, preventing it from producing any insulin.

Diabetes can be managed with treatment, but early detection is crucial. The most reliable method to determine if you have diabetes is through a blood test. It can take up to two years for people to notice symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, during which time significant damage can occur.

In the UK, over a million people are unaware they have Type 2 diabetes and are unknowingly harming their bodies. Over 3.9 million people are aware of their diabetes and require regular HbA1c level checks to monitor their condition.

This test is potentially life-saving. Not knowing you have diabetes, or failing to manage known diabetes, can shorten your life. Conversely, awareness, treatment, and monitoring can greatly enhance your wellness and longevity.