Diabetes UK Scotland is the leading organisation working for all people with diabetes in Scotland; funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.  We provide practical support and information to help people manage their diabetes.  We work with healthcare professionals to ensure the highest quality of care.  And we work with policy and decision makers to keep diabetes high on their agenda and to secure a fair deal for people living with diabetes across Scotland.

Over 200,000 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that up to 90,000 more are unaware that they have the condition.  In Tayside alone it is estimated that around 5,000 people do not realise that they have diabetes.

Diabetes is serious.  If left untreated diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, the amputation of a limb and other life-threatening complications.  Many people with diabetes have had it for between 9 – 12 years before it is diagnosed.  By this time many of these people will have started to develop some of the complications.

But the good news is that if you spot your diabetes early you can greatly reduce the risk of serious health problems.  So should you be thinking of going to your GP or pharmacist for a test?

Type 1 v Type 2 diabetes  

There are two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes usually affects people under 40 and is treated with insulin injections, diet and regular physical activity.

Type 2 diabetes is usually found in white people over 40 and in South Asian and black people over 25.  It can be treated with diet and physical activity alone – although most people will also need tablets and sometimes insulin injections.

Over three quarters of people with diabetes have Type 2.  Are you at risk of Type 2 diabetes?

Are you at risk?

If you are white and over 40 years old or of South Asian origin, black or from a minority ethnic group and over 25 years and have one or more of the following risk factors you should see your GP or pharmacist for a test for diabetes:

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes
• You are overweight or your waist is 37 inches or more (white or black men), 35 inches or more (South Asian men) or 31.5 inches or more (all women)
• You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or stroke
• You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight
• You’ve been told you have impaired glucose tolerance
• If you’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes  
• You have severe mental health problems. 

The Symptoms

The symptoms of untreated diabetes will usually be very obvious in people with Type 1 diabetes but not so clear or non-existent in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you’re older you may put the symptoms down to ‘getting on a bit’. Taking early action is key so if any of the following apply to you, ask your GP for a diabetes test:

• Increased thirst
• Going to the toilet all the time – especially at night
• Extreme tiredness
• Weight loss
• Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush
• Slow healing of wounds
• Blurred vision.

For further information about our work or to find out about Diabetes UK support groups in your area , contact us at:

Telephone 0141 332 2700  Fax 0141 332 4880
Email  scotland@diabetes.org.uk
Website www.diabetes.org

For support and information call the Diabetes UK Careline Scotland
(Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm on 0845 120 2960 (lo-call rate)

A charity registered in England and Wales (no. 215199) and in Scotland (no. SC039136)