If you are worried that you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes the Diabetes UK road shows are offering you the opportunity to find out if you need to visit your GP for a blood test.
The risk assessor will ask you a series of questions (in a confidential room) based on the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes. The questions asked will be around age, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, blood pressure, blood glucose and your family history of diabetes. You will also have your height, weight and waist circumference measured.
The questionnaire will classify your risk as low, slightly elevated, moderate, high or very high. If you score a moderate, high or very high risk you will be given a letter explaining this to take to your GP and you will be advised to make an appointment for a possible blood test. Diabetes UK can post this letter to your GP for you if you have your GP’s postal details.
You will receive information on the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes and advice on how to reduce your risk. There will be written information to take away on healthy eating, how to lose weight and keeping active.
If you are pregnant or under 18 years you should not have a risk assessment but should discuss this with your health care team. You can be assessed if it is 6 weeks since you had a baby.