The prevalence of diabetes in the UK, as well as many other countries, is rising and as of January 2016 it was reported tthat there are now over 4 million people living in the UK with the condition (8).
Just over half a million of these are thought to be undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, which means they will not be receiving the treatment or the monitoring they need to reduce the risk of complications.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type of diabetes, accounting for around 90% of cases, and the remaining 10% being Type 1 diabetes.
There are a few key symptoms that are often experienced in people with diabetes. Whilst symptoms tend to develop more quickly in Type 1 diabetes, people with Type 2 diabetes may go for several years before they are diagnosed due to such a gradual onset of symptoms.