What is HbA1c? | Blood Test | Target Levels | Diabetes UK
WEBHbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%). On this page we’ll go through what HbA1c means, and why aiming for your target ...
Type 2 diabetes | Diabetes UK
WEBType 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels due to your body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly — known as insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels over time can cause other health problems like heart attacks and strokes, as well as problems with your eyes, kidneys, and feet.
Metformin and diabetes | How to treat diabetes | Diabetes UK
WEBWhen it comes to treating diabetes, metformin works by: reducing the amount of sugar or glucose the liver releases into your body. helping the insulin your body makes to work better. This means that metformin improves your insulin resistance so that the insulin you produce works better. Insulin resistance is when your insulin doesn't work ...
Prediabetes | Diabetes UK | Reduce risk type 2 diabetes
WEBPreventing type 2 diabetes. Research has consistently shown that for some people combined lifestyle interventions - including diet, physical activity and sustained weight loss - can be effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 50%. Being at risk doesn’t mean you will definitely develop type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes | Type 1 and Type 2 | Diabetes UK
WEBThirsty - being really thirsty. Tired - feeling more tired than usual. Thinner - losing weight without trying to. Genital itching or thrush. Cuts and wounds take longer to heal. Blurred eyesight. Increased hunger. These symptoms can affect anyone - adult or child. But some are more commonly experienced by people with type 1 diabetes, and can ...
Diabetes mellitus | Diabetes the basics | Diabetes UK
WEBDiabetes mellitus is the scientific name for diabetes, but it is more commonly known simply as diabetes. It’s when your body can’t produce enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it produces isn’t effective. There are two main …
Types of insulin - Diabetes UK
WEBMost people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes are prescribed two kinds of insulin: a fast acting one you take with meals and sometimes snacks. This is known as bolus insulin. And a slower-acting insulin you take once or twice a day that works through the day. This is known as background insulin or basal insulin.
Carbohydrates and diabetes: What you need to know
WEBAll carbohydrate is converted into glucose. In someone without diabetes, the body produces insulin automatically to deal with the glucose that enters the blood from the carbohydrate-containing food that we eat and drink. In Type 1 diabetes the same principle applies, but because your body doesn’t produce any insulin, you have to take insulin ...
What is a healthy, balanced diet for diabetes? | Diabetes UK
WEBtry mushrooms, cucumber, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, celery and lettuce for lower carb vegetable options. try avocados, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, plums, peaches and watermelon for lower carb fruit options. Check out our recipes to help you eat a healthy diet for diabetes – we’ve got lots of delicious main meals ...
Insulin resistance - Diabetes UK
WEBInsulin resistance is when your body’s cells don’t respond properly to the insulin that your body makes or the insulin you inject as a medication. Because your body cannot use the insulin as it should your blood sugar levels can increase. Although insulin resistance is most commonly linked to type 2 or gestational diabetes you can have ...