18 million Brits could have prediabetes. Improved testing is needed to halt a diabetes tsunami, warns expert

35.3% of British adults are likely to have prediabetes. Better testing is needed to ensure 18 million Brits don’t go on to develop ‘full-blown’ diabetes, urges a top testing expert.

New analysis from London Medical Laboratory has revealed up to 18 million UK adults may well have prediabetes, meaning they're on the edge of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s considerably higher than the 7 million figure that is normally quoted.

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), who is the Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: ‘Our analysis of the latest research into prediabetes raises some big questions. Why is the potential number of people with prediabetes so high? More vitally, how can we prevent them from developing “full-blown” type 2 diabetes, creating massive pressure on the NHS and altering millions of lives?

"Prediabetes means your blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with diabetes. 

"But it does mean you are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes (also known as Impaired Glucose Regulation or non-diabetic Hyperglycaemia) have higher than normal blood glucose levels, suggesting early features of diabetes. Recent research has shown prediabetes may already be causing long-term damage to the body, affecting the heart and circulatory system.

"Concerningly, prediabetics are really unlikely to experience any symptoms, meaning the condition goes unnoticed even at the threshold of type 2 diabetes, when irreversible damage has already occurred. This invisible killer shortens lives by up to ten years. That’s why we launched our “Give the finger to diabetes” campaign to identify undiagnosed cases with a simple fingerprick blood test. In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths in the UK. The earlier people are diagnosed, the better the outcome.

‘The most commonly quoted figure for the number of people who have prediabetes is around 7 million. That figure dates back to 2009 research by Diabetes UK which, two years ago, released updated estimates suggesting 13.6 million people were at risk of developing diabetes.

‘This is still considerably smaller than our calculation, which is based on results from the most comprehensive research into prediabetes ever conducted in the UK. This study, published on the British Medical Journal’s “BMJ Open” website, found 35.3% of randomly selected participants were prediabetic. Growing obesity rates and an increasing population (there are now 53 million adults in the UK) mean that some 18.5 million Brits are now likely to be prediabetic.

‘Increased testing is needed to establish which of us are among this at-risk population. The most accurate test to identify prediabetes is known as the HbA1c test, which can be done at your local medical practice but is also now available as a revolutionary and convenient home-fingerprick test from London Medical Laboratory."

He went to to provide more details: "What will these test results tell you?

• An HbA1c of 41mmol/mol or below is considered normal.

• An HbA1c of 42 - 47 mmol/mol is considered in the prediabetic range.

 • An HbA1c of 48mmol/mol or above indicates that you have diabetes.

‘The sooner this problem is detected the better we can manage it. Those who discover they have prediabetes should take it as a warning sign that they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes is not “full” diabetes yet and, with the right support, up to 50% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Remember, type 2 diabetes can come on slowly, usually in people over the age of 40.

"London Medical Laboratory’s fingerprick HbA1c “Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring” test is considered the gold standard in regular testing. It is used to measure the average level of blood glucose over the previous two to three months and both accurately monitor and diagnose diabetes. 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 95 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check."

Here's why you might have diabetes and not even know it

As someone who was diagnosed with diabetes rather late in life (countless Doctors had apparently ignored the warning signs over the years. One Doctor is convinced I am not a Type 2 Diabetic, but rather an undiagnosed Type 1!) I am very pleased to be able to share this information with my readers. And, as a favour to other people who might be in the same situation I was in, please do share this article with other people you know. After all, you could help save their life if they have untreated diabetes.

Potentially thousands of people are mistaking the warning signs of diabetes for harmless skin conditions. Itchy or tingling skin, or cuts that take a while to heal, could well be down to common, everyday skin problems. 

But! They are also little-known symptoms of type 2 diabetes and need much greater awareness, warns a blood testing expert.

Everyday skin problems could have a more sinister cause. Itchy skin, tingling hands or a cut that takes a while to heal are usually given a quick scratch or covered with a sticking plaster. However, they are also little-known symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

London Medical Laboratory’s latest analysis reveals one million people in the UK are likely to have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. 

As a result, it's launched a campaign to fight this invisible killer, which can shorten lives by up to ten years. ‘Give the finger to diabetes’ aims to identify undiagnosed cases with a simple fingerprick blood test. In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths in the UK. The earlier people are diagnosed, the better the outcome for them and their families.

Leading blood testing expert, Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: "The chances are your itchy skin is down to dryness, the tingling feeling is because you sat in an odd position and that cut that refuses to heal is because it has been covered by a plaster for too long. However, that may not always be the case.

‘We know Britain currently has 4.3 million registered diabetics, but it’s likely a million more Brits may have the disease without even knowing it. And what seems like a stubborn skin irritation may be your body warning you. Medical professionals are increasingly aware seemingly harmless skin conditions could be a symptom of type 2 diabetes.

Dry, itchy skin: 

‘Poor circulation can cause skin dryness and itchy skin and diabetes could well be the cause. Chronic high blood sugar (glucose) levels affect blood circulation by damaging the lining of your small blood vessels, which impedes circulation.

‘Similarly, this can also be seen in the development of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetic patients. It’s believed 1 in 3 people over age 50 with diabetes may have PAD. Fatty deposits adhere to unhealthy blood vessels in the lower limbs, leading to blood vessel narrowing and circulation issues. This is often a cause of poor-healing wounds, nerve damage and even “limb ischaemia” (a severe blockage of the arteries), leading to a risk of amputation.

"Also, abnormal sensations that can be perceived as itches, or an itch that's hard to locate and doesn’t go away, may be related to nerve damage from chronic diabetes.

Tingling or numbness in hands, legs or feet:

"Nerve damage can cause pain, tingling or numbness. America’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that half of all people with diabetes have nerve damage, known as neuropathy.

"Over time, abnormal blood circulation and changes to how cells get their oxygen and nutrient supply, due to poor blood flow, will lead to nerve fibres becoming damaged, and they may eventually die or stop working altogether. 

"As a result, this blocks the brain from sending and receiving signals to and from different parts of the body, causing numbness or a tingling sensation. Such nerve damage may also lead to burning, discomfort or shooting pains. Vascular disease starts in the hands and feet before progressing centrally to the body, so nerve damage and symptoms are most notable in these areas first.

‘Diabetic neuropathy can't be reversed. Once the nerves are damaged, they cannot repair themselves. Treating neuropathy is difficult and management only addresses symptoms, so early diagnosis is vital.

Cuts that won’t heal:

‘Damaged blood vessels also result in slow wound healing and greater risk of infection. If coupled with nerve damage, wound complications may often go unnoticed until they've progressed. According to Diabetes.org, diabetics may experience more bacterial and fungal infections than people without diabetes as a result of their immune system not working as well.

"Most concerning are foot ulcers. Unhealed ulcers are the leading cause of diabetes-related amputations. Diabetes is the most common cause of lower limb amputations in the UK; someone living with the disease is 20 times more likely to have an amputation.

"Diabetic foot ulcers precede more than 80% of amputations. Again, they develop because high glucose levels damage blood vessels, affecting how blood flows to the feet and legs.

"We’ve only looked at three, lesser-known, symptoms of diabetes. There are many more hidden signs. However, one simple, diagnostic blood test, either with your GP or as a fingerprick test taken in your own home, will tell you if you have the condition before any symptoms develop. Moreover, a fingerprick blood test can also identify if you are pre-diabetic, which is an entirely reversible condition.

‘London Medical Laboratory’s fingerprick diabetes test measures “glycated haemoglobin” – commonly known as HbA1c. The “Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring test” 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 95 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check

Imager used courtesy of Gary VandenBergh from Pixabay)