Signs of type 2 diabetes – detectable several years before diagnosis & # 39;

The researchers indicate that the warning signs of type 2 diabetes may be detectable 20 years before the diagnosis of the disease.

One study reveals that fasting fasting blood glucose levels and insulin resistance have been observed in people years before the onset of pre-diabetes, often prior to type 2.

The results suggest that interventions to stop the disease in its tracks should begin much earlier in life, say the authors.

Another study showed that type 1 diabetes can be misdiagnosed after 30 years.

"Intervene much earlier"

The Japanese study, conducted between 2005 and 2016, examined body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose and insulin sensitivity of 27,000 non-diabetics, aged 30 to 50, and mostly men. .

Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells do not respond properly to the hormone insulin and can lead to various health problems.

A higher BMI is a well-known risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

The study followed participants until they were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes – where blood glucose is abnormally high – or until late 2016, whichever comes first.

During the study period, 1,067 new cases of type 2 diabetes were diagnosed.

The researchers found that these people had experienced an increase in fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance, as well as higher BMIs, up to 10 years before the diagnosis.

A similar pattern was seen in those who developed pre-diabetes – the same type of warning signs, although to a lesser extent, was detectable more than a decade before the diagnosis.

Since most people who develop type 2 diabetes initially go through a pre-diabetes stage, the researchers claim that this means that the warning signs of the disease can be detected more than 20 years before the diagnosis.

Dr. Hiroyuki Sagesaka, head of research at Aizawa Hospital in Matsumoto, Japan, said: "Prevention trials in people with pre-diabetes appear to be less successful with long-term follow-up, we may need to intervene much earlier than the pre-diabetes stage to prevent progression to complete diabetes.

"A much earlier, drug-related or lifestyle-related pathway is warranted."

Diabetes UK said that about one million Britons would have type 2 diabetes and did not know it yet.

But the charity points out that pre-diabetes does not necessarily have to evolve to type 2: people can usually change their lifestyle to avoid this.

Diabetes UK added: "It is of course useful to know your risk at all times to avoid or prevent a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

"Whether you are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes or not, everyone should be encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle by eating better and moving more."

The research is presented at the conference of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and published in The Journal of Endocrine Society.

In addition, research suggests that people who develop type 1 diabetes later in life may be misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

This small study found that 39% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after the age of 30 did not receive insulin immediately.

Insulin should be given immediately to type 1 diabetics, while type 2 can often treat this condition by improving their diet and doing more exercise.

Dr. Nick Thomas, of Exeter University, who led the research, said, "Getting the right diagnosis is important for these patients to receive the right education and the right treatment."

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