Symptoms for both adults and children are the same and may appear gradually, resembling type 1 diabetes, which is more common in younger individuals and develops faster.
Who is more likely to get type 2 diabetes
People over 40, with a family history of diabetes, overweight, or high blood pressure are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Factors like ethnic background, weight, activity level, and family history can also contribute to the risk.
Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, smoking, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Additionally, individuals with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or prediabetes are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- If you suspect type 2 diabetes
- You or your child are at higher risk
Seek medical attention as not everyone displays symptoms.
Check your risk
- Use Diabetes UK’s Know Your Risk tool for guidance.
- Receive a free NHS health check between 40 and 74 years old.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet and staying active.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly, especially if you have a family history of diabetes.
This check can help indicate potential health issues like diabetes, but it’s important to take proactive steps to lower your risk and maintain overall health.
How type 2 diabetes is diagnosed
A blood test measuring glucose levels can diagnose type 2 diabetes, distinguishing it from type 1 diabetes.
In addition to blood tests, other diagnostic tools may be used to confirm a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. These may include fasting blood glucose tests, oral glucose tolerance tests, and hemoglobin A1c tests. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes.
If you’re told you have type 2 diabetes
Feeling overwhelmed after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is common, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Healthcare professionals can offer guidance on treatment options, lifestyle changes, and next steps to manage your condition effectively. Some key steps to take after a diabetes diagnosis include:
- Educating yourself about the condition and how it affects your body
- Developing a personalized treatment plan with your healthcare team
- Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet and increasing physical activity
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly and following your doctor’s recommendations
- Seeking support from family, friends, or diabetes support groups
Remember, managing type 2 diabetes is a journey, and it’s important to stay proactive and engaged in your own care. With the right support and resources, you can lead a full and healthy life with diabetes.
If you’re diagnosed with prediabetes
Prediabetes indicates increased blood glucose levels, suggesting a future risk of diabetes. Discuss lifestyle changes with your care team to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Find out more
Courses provide support and education on type 2 diabetes for individuals, families, or caregivers.
More in Type 2 diabetes
Last review: 10 February 2025
Next review: 10 February 2028
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop rapidly over days or weeks and can lead to a severe condition if left untreated. It can affect any age group, but is more common with autoimmune conditions or a family history.
Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and blurred vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider for testing.
Diagnosing type 1 diabetes usually involves blood tests to measure blood sugar levels. These tests may include a fasting blood sugar test, A1C test, and oral glucose tolerance test. In some cases, additional tests such as urine tests and antibody tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Early diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes are crucial to prevent complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Treatment typically involves insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- If you suspect type 1 diabetes
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
If you or your child experience symptoms like increased urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, or stomach issues, seek urgent medical attention for possible diabetic ketoacidosis.
How type 1 diabetes is diagnosed
GP blood tests can confirm type 1 diabetes, leading to specialized treatment. Age, weight, and symptoms help identify the type of diabetes.
If you’re told you have type 1 diabetes
After a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, specialists provide treatment and support for managing the condition.
Get support
Contact Diabetes UK’s helpline for assistance with diabetes-related questions.
Regular blood sugar testing is crucial for managing your child’s diabetes and avoiding complications. Your paediatric diabetes team will offer the necessary tools and guidance.
Testing your child’s blood sugar
Regular blood sugar testing is essential for your child’s overall health and to prevent future diabetes-related issues.
How to test your child’s blood sugar levels
- Prepare your child’s hands.
- Prick the side of the finger to minimize pain.
- Discuss alternative site meters with your diabetes team.
- Use a blood glucose meter for test results.
- Record test results to monitor blood sugar levels.
- Calibrate the meter as needed.
- Quality-check the meter periodically.
When to do a blood sugar test
Test blood sugar levels before meals, at bedtime, or when levels feel abnormal. Follow recommendations from your diabetes team for additional testing.
Testing your baby’s blood sugar
For babies, prick the heel for blood samples as directed by your diabetes team.
Testing your toddler’s blood sugar
Testing blood sugar levels in toddlers may require cooperation and reassurance for accurate results.
Blood sugar testing tips
- Ensure clean hands for testing.
- Use different fingers and areas for testing.
- Avoid sensitive finger areas for pricking.
- Encourage child to increase blood flow to fingers by holding hand down.
- Ensure child’s hands are warm to reduce discomfort during finger-pricking.
Blood sugar levels action points
- Consult diabetes team for blood sugar targets and management of high/low results.
- Determine optimal testing times and frequency with your diabetes team.
- Get testing supplies on prescription by contacting diabetes team.
Blood sugar Q&A
Know recommended blood sugar target ranges and aim for good control.
Track test results to evaluate diabetes control effectively.
Consider continuous glucose monitoring systems for continuous blood sugar level monitoring.
Ketone testing
Ketones are toxic chemicals produced when glucose is not properly utilized due to insulin deficiency.
Check for ketones with high blood sugar levels or illness, follow instructions from the diabetes team accordingly.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- DKA can develop during diabetes diagnosis, illness, growth spurts, or missed insulin doses.
- Early detection of DKA is crucial for timely treatment in a hospital setting.
HbA1c test
HbA1c test measures long-term blood sugar control over 2-3 months, with individual targets.
Fructosamine test may be performed for accurate results in certain medical conditions.
HbA1c action points
- Inquire about target levels and testing frequency for HbA1c or fructosamine tests.
- Coordinate with diabetes team for timely and accurate test administration.
- Inform diabetes team of any blood disorder that may affect test accuracy.
Thyroid and coeliac disease tests
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition associated with other autoimmune diseases, including thyroid and coeliac diseases.
Thyroid and coeliac disease action points
- Ensure regular thyroid hormone level tests and coeliac disease screening for your child.
- Follow up with annual thyroid checks and monitor for possible symptoms of coeliac disease.
Other diabetes complications
Manage diabetes effectively to minimize the risk of complications in the future.
Monitor blood sugar levels for effective diabetes management and to reduce complications.
What are blood sugar levels?
Blood sugar levels reflect the amount of glucose in the blood.
Manage fluctuations in blood sugar levels with regular testing and monitoring.
Can I check my own blood sugar levels?
Check blood sugar levels with finger-prick tests or continuous glucose monitors.
Analyze results and adjust medication or lifestyle as necessary.
Regular monitoring is essential for optimal diabetes management.
Why test blood sugar levels?
Regular blood sugar checks are vital when taking certain diabetes medications.
Monitoring levels helps in modifying medication, diet, and activity levels accordingly.
Maintaining blood sugar levels can prevent diabetes complications, such as foot and eye issues caused by high sugar damaging blood vessels. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are popular among people with diabetes but should be used in consultation with healthcare providers. Finger-prick tests offer immediate blood sugar readings and should be performed regularly, along with an annual HbA1c test to monitor average blood sugar levels over three months.
While CGMs can be purchased, consult healthcare providers before relying on their results for health decisions. Use a blood testing meter, finger-prick device, lancets, test strips, and a sharps bin for proper monitoring.
How to check your blood sugar levels
CGMs and Finger-Pricking
CGMs allow blood sugar checks without finger pricks, but readings may lag behind actual levels. It’s essential to still perform finger-prick tests for accuracy. Use finger-prick devices, lancets, and test strips for monitoring blood sugar levels, ensuring proper technique and equipment selection.
Meter Selection and Usage
Consult your healthcare team for advice on selecting a blood testing meter that suits your needs. Ensure the meter works well with your finger-prick device and test strips. Regularly recording readings is crucial for monitoring and adjusting treatment as needed.
HbA1c test
Understanding your HbA1c test results is crucial for managing diabetes and reducing the risk of complications. Keep a record of readings to track trends and adjust treatment accordingly.
Make a note of your readings
Set individual blood sugar targets in consultation with your healthcare team to ensure effective diabetes management.
Target Ranges
Target blood sugar ranges vary based on age and diabetes type. Discuss and agree on your individual target range with your healthcare team. Regularly monitor blood sugar levels and adjust treatment plan as necessary.
Individual target range for blood sugar levels may vary. Healthcare team will help you reach these targets to reduce risks for you and your baby.
Hypoglycemia may occur if blood sugar levels are too low, usually below 4 mmol/l. Immediate treatment is needed to prevent further decline. Severe cases may require emergency care. Recognizing hypo symptoms is crucial.
If blood sugar levels are slightly above targets, you may not experience symptoms. However, high levels may lead to hyper symptoms like increased urination, thirst, headaches, and fatigue. Knowing how to address a hyper is important to prevent ketones in the blood.