Preventing diabetes and prediabetes
Help support your teams to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the associated serious complications
A major health crisis
Diabetes UK estimates that 5.6 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with over 30% undiagnosed and a further 3.2 million people are thought to have pre-diabetes, costing the UK government and employers almost £14 billion a year.
Early detection and management are crucial as untreated diabetes can lead to serious health complications, which can limit an employee's ability to perform their job effectively.
The good news is that through testing, early diagnosis, and diet and lifestyle changes, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes can be prevented or reversed.
Comprehensive testing that supports your workforce
1 in 14
people in the UK are living with diabetes
30%
of people living with type 2 diabetes in England are undiagnosed
1 in 4
diabetic people are admitted to hospital with a heart attack, heart failure or a stroke
What are the types of diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body produces little to no insulin (the hormone that regulates blood sugar). This type is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and requires daily insulin management.
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% of diabetes cases in the UK, can be prevented and controlled. It develops gradually, with the body's cells becoming less responsive to insulin over time. Diabetes UK predicts that a million people are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than usual but not quite high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It means you are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. 1 in 3 people in the UK are prediabetic. It is often asymptomatic and diagnosed through a blood test.
Insulin resistance is the stage before you develop diabetes or prediabetes and indicates a process when the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. This reduced sensitivity makes it harder for glucose to enter cells, leading to higher blood sugar levels and potentially increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The body requires more insulin to achieve the same effect, which can strain the pancreas over time. Understanding and addressing insulin resistance is crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing complications.
The impact of diabetes
Diabetes is often asymptomatic and can go undiagnosed for many years. If not managed, it can lead to long-term complications such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, and nerve damage. These complications not only affect health but can also reduce productivity at work and limit an employee's ability to perform tasks safely, and at worst, mean they’re unable to continue to work.
People living with diabetes are also more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression, which can further affect their work performance.
For more information on the risks of diabetes see the following resources:
What we test for
An HbA1c test will tell you if your blood sugar has been high for prolonged periods over the last 3 months, which gives a better indication of your blood sugar control than a glucose test done at a single point in time. The test measures the amount of blood sugar (glucose) attached to your haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. By measuring your HbA1c, you can understand your risk of prediabetes and diabetes.
The importance of Diabetes testing
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of diabetes cases in the UK but it can be prevented and controlled. Early identification and effective management are crucial for minimising the risk of serious complications and maintaining a healthy and productive workforce.
Working towards a healthier workplace
Interested in diabetes testing for your teams? Help your workforce understand potential risks and prevent long-term illness with expert clinical support. Simply fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.
