About 250,000 UK adults ‘do not know they have diabetes’

If all adults were tested for the condition, undiagnosed cases could be identified two years earlier

A nurse gives a patient a diabetes test. PA

About 250,000 middle-aged people in the UK do not know they have type two diabetes, research suggests.

All adults aged between 40 and 70 should be screened for the condition, say researchers, as receiving help earlier could reduce risk of complications from the disease.

Currently, only high-risk adults are offered a blood test to check for the presence of type two diabetes during the National Health Service check, the academics said.

But if every adult was offered the test, undiagnosed cases of the condition could be identified two years earlier, the research team wrote in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

The team, led by Dr Katie Young from the University of Exeter, wanted to assess whether people would get a diagnosis faster if the blood test was routinely used in the NHS check.

Foods that help to tackle diabetes - in pictures

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  People who have diabetes should eat plenty of fresh vegetables and avoid fried and sugary foods.

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  Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and helps to manage diabetes because it can lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control. Silvia Razgova / The National

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  Replacing processed foods with fresh, home-cooked meals brings many health benefits. Antonie Robertson / The National

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  Berries are beneficial for people with diabetes because they are packed with antioxidants and fibre. iStockphoto

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  Greek salads made with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers are low in calories, high in nutrients and help regulate blood sugar levels.

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  The good fats in avocados can help you prevent diabetes complications, such as heart attacks and strokes, and help your body to use insulin more effectively.

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  Citrus fruits can lower blood sugar levels. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Walnuts can be a good snack for people with type-2 diabetes. They may help to prevent heart disease, control blood sugar levels and aid weight loss.

They looked at information on people taking part in the UK Biobank study who had been given a HbA1c blood test when they signed up.

This was then linked to GP records to see whether patients already had a diagnosis of diabetes.

About 7.3 per cent of those who had the test already had the condition diagnosed.

Among 167,000 people who did not have a diagnosis of type two diabetes, about 1 per cent had undiagnosed diabetes.

People taking part in the study were tracked for 10 years.

5 ways to prevent diabetes - in pictures

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  Maintain a healthy body weight ... One of the leading causes of diabetes is obesity, so keeping a healthy weight for your height is vital.

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  Move more ... Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five or more times a week. Walking is great.

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  Right fuel ... Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, while avoiding fried and sugary foods.

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  Quit smoking ... Stopping smoking won’t just be helpful in preventing diabetes, it will do wonders for your overall health – and the health of those around you.

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  Get checked ... If you are at risk of developing diabetes, have regular check-ups with your doctor.

“Our population-based study shows that HbA1c screening in adults aged 40–70 years can reduce the time to diabetes diagnosis by a median of 2.2 years, compared with routine clinical care,” the authors wrote.

“The findings support the use of HbA1c screening to reduce the time for which individuals are living with undiagnosed diabetes.”

The researchers said there are about 25 million adults aged 40-70 years living in the UK today without a diagnosis of diabetes.

So if the findings can be extrapolated, up to 250,000 adults in this age group have undiagnosed diabetes, which could be detected by HbA1c-based screening, they said.

How to eat your way to good health - in pictures

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  Avocados: These are high in fat with 60 per cent of this being monounsaturated fats. With a proven ability to lower cholesterol and quell hunger pangs, the avocado is arguably one of only a few perfect foods to lose weight.

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  Chia seeds: These seeds are full of omega-3, which is essential for allowing movement of all things, including fat, from one cell to the next. In this way omega-3 is crucial for allowing you to burn fat that is already stored in your body. Chia is also fibre-rich, supporting optimal elimination, another key ingredient for weight loss. iStockphoto.com

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  Raw cacao: One of the best weight-loss foods in the world, raw cacao is one of the richest sources of magnesium, a vital mineral for optimal functioning of numerous systems within your body, including endocrine, nervous and digestive. It also balances blood sugar, provides energy and gives your mood a boost while helping to suppress excessive appetite. iStockphoto.com

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  Seaweed: Seaweed is packed with minerals and extremely detoxifying, but the main ingredient here that is essential for lightness is iodine. Iodine is required by your thyroid to function properly; without iodine your thyroid becomes underactive and your metabolism suffers. Seaweeds are abundant in this mineral, especially kelp, nori and wakame, not forgetting the algaes too, such as chlorella and pirulina, which are powerful for overall health and weight loss. Courtesy iStockphoto.com

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  Coconut: For weight-loss, try cold-pressed coconut oil. Taking a tablespoon a day has been shown to boost the function of the liver, which speeds up fat metabolism while increasing thyroid function. iStockphoto.com

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  Kale: Kale is packed with nutrients that help to balance blood sugar and provide vital mineral and phytonutrient support that actively creates lightness in your body through cleansing and detoxification. iStockphoto.com

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  Almonds: These nuts have been clinically proven to aid weight loss among those who snack on a handful a day. The protein helps keep you feeling satisfied, meaning you crave less food, while the mineral and essential fatty acid content boosts metabolism and aids digestion of fat. iStockphoto.com

“This research provides clear evidence of delays in the diagnosis of type two diabetes and suggests that tests of average blood sugar levels at population level could help to pick up cases of type two diabetes sooner than they otherwise would be," said Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK.

“Early diagnosis is the best way to avoid the devastating complications of type two diabetes, and offers the best chance of living a long and healthy life with type two diabetes.

“Type two diabetes can sometimes go undetected for up to 10 years, which can lead to serious complications.

“While the symptoms of type two diabetes can sometimes be tricky to spot in the early stages, it’s important to know the signs to look out for, including being thirsty, unexplained weight loss, tiredness and passing urine more often.

"If you notice anything unusual, speak to your GP. “