What is HbA1c? | Blood Test | Target Levels | Diabetes UK
WEBHbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%). On this page we’ll go through what HbA1c means, and why aiming for your target ...
Symptoms of diabetes | Type 1 and Type 2 | Diabetes UK
WEBThirsty - being really thirsty. Tired - feeling more tired than usual. Thinner - losing weight without trying to. Genital itching or thrush. Cuts and wounds take longer to heal. Blurred eyesight. Increased hunger. These symptoms can affect anyone - adult or child. But some are more commonly experienced by people with type 1 diabetes, and can ...
Checking your blood sugar levels | Diabetes testing | Diabetes UK
WEBFlash glucose monitors. More and more people with diabetes are choosing to use a flash glucose monitor to check their sugar levels. This is a blood sugar test without a needle. Instead it uses a sensor you wear on your skin and you an do the test without pricking your finger. The main brand is called the FreeStyle Libre.
Type 2 diabetes | Diabetes UK
WEBType 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels due to your body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly — known as insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels over time can cause other health problems like heart attacks and strokes, as well as problems with your eyes, kidneys, and feet.
I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat? | Diabetes UK
WEBIf you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced diet – it can all seem so daunting and overwhelming. With so …
Prediabetes | Diabetes UK | Reduce risk type 2 diabetes
WEBPreventing type 2 diabetes. Research has consistently shown that for some people combined lifestyle interventions - including diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss - can be effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 50%. Being at risk doesn’t mean you will definitely develop type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) | Ketosis symptoms and treatment
WEBDiabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that affects people with type 1 diabetes, and occasionally those with type 2 diabetes (although they are more likely to be affected by Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS)). Some children and adults who don’t realise they have type 1 diabetes don’t get diagnosed until they are very unwell with DKA.
Metformin and diabetes | How to treat diabetes | Diabetes UK
WEBWhen it comes to treating diabetes, metformin works by: reducing the amount of sugar or glucose the liver releases into your body. helping the insulin your body makes to work better. This means that metformin improves your insulin resistance so that the insulin you produce works better. Insulin resistance is when your insulin doesn't work ...
Glycaemic index and diabetes | Diabetes UK
WEBThe glycaemic index (GI) tells us whether a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose levels quickly, moderately or slowly. This means it can be useful to help you manage your diabetes. Different carbohydrates are digested and absorbed at different rates, and GI is a ranking of how quickly each carbohydrate-based food and drink makes ...
Differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
WEBThis is why type 1 diabetes is known as an autoimmune condition. Type 2 diabetes isn’t an autoimmune condition. Your body isn’t making enough insulin or what it makes isn’t working properly. This can be for many reasons. Type 1 diabetes affects 8% of people living with diabetes and type 2 diabetes affects 90% of people living with diabetes.