Have you ever considered evaluating your personal risk for type 2 diabetes? A simple assessment, endorsed by the NHS, might provide the insight you need.

While this test won’t give you a definitive diagnosis, the NHS has emphasized its importance, suggesting that taking the test “could be the most important thing you do today.”

Earlier this year, the NHS highlighted in a post on X: “Type 2 diabetes can lead to significant health complications if not addressed. Discovering your risk takes just a few minutes with the @DiabetesUK risk tool – it could be the most important thing you do today.”

Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent health issue where the body either fails to produce adequate insulin or the insulin produced is ineffective. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. When insulin isn’t functioning correctly, blood glucose can reach dangerously high levels.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, which stems from a malfunctioning immune system and cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. According to NHS guidance, as reported by the Express, “You can manage type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise or medications.”

NHS guidelines further warn that elevated blood glucose levels can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, or nerve issues. However, it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes or achieve remission by losing weight and improving dietary habits.

Those looking to evaluate their risk can visit the Diabetes UK website, which offers a brief assessment, taking no longer than five minutes. Participants should have a tape measure and scales prepared beforehand, likely because being overweight and having a waist circumference over 35 to 40 inches are known risk factors for the condition.

Providing specific data on health and ethnicity is also crucial for more precise results. Diabetes UK states that people of Black African, African Caribbean, and South Asian backgrounds have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes earlier in life.

“Know Your Risk is our trusted online tool that will help you understand your risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” Diabetes UK explains. “There are an estimated 6.3 million people in the UK at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes based on blood sugar levels. And we know that the sooner type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated and the better the impact on health.

“We’ve helped over 3 million people to understand their risk – help us to help you understand yours and begin to take steps to manage it.”

Only people aged 18 and over should complete the assessment. The test is also unsuitable for pregnant women, whose results may not be accurate. For more information, visit Diabetes UK.

Possible warning signs of type 2 diabetes

The NHS explains that the primary signs of type 2 diabetes are:

• Feeling constantly thirsty
• Unexplained weight loss
• Overtiredness
• More frequent urination

However, other red flags can be:

• Itching around the penis or vagina
• Reoccurring thrush
• Wounds taking a long time to heal
• Blurred vision

Anyone concerned about their symptoms should seek medical advice.