Science information
Do you have a question about diabetes? Not sure where your pancreas is or what it does? Don’t know your GLP-1 from your GLUT-4? The Library and Information team can help.
What we do
We provide a range of services from literature searches, or signposting to the latest guidelines and evidence for healthcare professionals, to explaining the science behind diabetes to members of the public who want to know that little bit more about what’s going on in their bodies and with their medicines.
For example did you know that metformin is related to a compound found in lilacs?
The team consists of four science information officers who answer scientific and other enquiries about diabetes. We take questions from anyone - members of the public, school pupils, university students or healthcare professionals as well as Diabetes UK staff.
We have access to the latest medical literature including our own in-house library of journals, databases and books on diabetes and related subjects. We also subscribe to a number of medical news services and make sure that our own knowledge and the information we send out is accurate and up-to-date.
Some of our enquirers have simply wondered about something for years and we're delighted to be able to satisfy their curiosity. Others need facts and figures quickly for their studies or work.
Whenever Diabetes UK runs a campaign, publishes a report or speaks to the press, our team makes sure that staff have the correct statistics to hand.
Some of the questions we've been asked
People with diabetes
Is it safe for me to have aromatherapy?
Should I take glucosamine for arthritis?
I have low blood glucose in the morning. Do you think that's what causing my headaches?
Diabetologist
Can sulphonylureas cause sulphur allergy problems?
Member of staff in a substance abuse centre
What's the best way to support people with diabetes who are going through alcohol detoxification?
Housing manager
Could you find me statistics on the number of elderly people with diabetes over the last ten years?
Dietitian
Is there a link between osteoporosis and diabetes?
Student nurse
How does diabetes increase your risk of cardiovascular disease?
Our response
We will send you an answer within ten days, where possible, and members of Diabetes UK are given priority. As some of our enquiries can be technically complex we may need to do some further research before we can give you an answer but we will try and let you know if there will be a delay.
Please note that we are unable to give individual medical advice and if you have any concerns about your medication or control you should speak to your doctor or healthcare team.
If you are a researcher and your query is concerning research funding and grants please look at the Research section of our our website.
If you would like to speak with one of our Careline counsellors, please call Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Recorded information on a number of diabetes related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day 0845 120 2960.
Contact us
You can contact us in any of the following ways. Please try and include some detail about what you need the information for as that will help us to help you.
By telephone
020 7424 1020
By email
scienceinfo@diabetes.org.uk
By post
Library and Information team
Diabetes UK
Macleod House
10 Parkway
London
NW1 7AA
By fax
020 7424 1001
Please mark the fax for the attention of the 'Library and Information team' and include a telephone, email or postal address, as we may not be able to reply by fax.