1M Brits have undiagnosed diabetes – yet a simple blood test will find every case

Feb. 22, 2024 - PRLog -- Shocking new figures from the Government's Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal an estimated 1 million adults have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Worse still, 50% of cases in people under 44 are likely to be undiagnosed. In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths in the UK. The earlier people are diagnosed, the better the outcome.

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: 'Diabetes is an invisible killer that shortens lives by up to ten years. Untreated diabetes can lead to blindness, amputations and death. Swift treatment is vital. Around 3.7 million Brits are already being treated for type 2 diabetes, but these new figures reveal around 30% of people who have "full blown" type 2 diabetes aren't even aware of it. Ironically, the younger you are and the healthier you seem, the more likely it is your diabetes will remain undiagnosed.

'The figures are even worse for prediabetics – people on the threshold of developing "full blown" diabetes. Prediabetes affects around 1 in 9 Brits, says the ONS, which equates to approximately 5.1 million adults.

'It's astonishing to think that both diabetes and prediabetes can be identified by a simple finger-prick blood test, yet 30% of diabetics and potentially millions of prediabetics remain undiagnosed. Remember, prediabetes is an entirely reversable condition. Basic changes to lifestyle and diet can ensure people return to full health and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in most cases.

'Older or overweight people are likely to be checked for the condition. However, there are many people who could have diabetes or, at least, prediabetes but who never get checked. These include those who are in better health, have a lower body mass index (BMI) or who are considered at "low risk" because they are aged under 44. The ONS' own figures show 8% of people who were not overweight or obese are known to have prediabetes.

'Increased testing is vital to establish which of us are among this at-risk population. London Medical Laboratory's finger-prick HbA1c "Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring" test is considered the gold standard in regular testing. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 120 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check