diabetes testing

Worried about your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes?

Make an appointment with us to help you understand more. We can make an assessment by asking questions such as:

• Your age, height, weight and waist measurement
• What your diet & lifestyle’s like
• Medication you take or medical conditions.
• If any of your family has diabetes

If you are at high risk, or at your request we can measure your blood glucose level, by taking a small finger-prick sample of blood. This is quick and relatively painless, just tell us if you’re nervous!

We will also take your Blood Pressure. This will be done by a trained member of the team in a private air-conditioned consultation room. See charges for these services in the panel opposite.

You might need a further appointment for a fasting blood glucose test, usually first thing in the morning before you have breakfast. We can refer you to your doctor if you prefer.

Whatever the test result is, you will be given full information and support and the opportunity to speak to one of our wellness pharmacists. They will suggest you see your GP if needed. At early stages, you can prevent the onset of diabetes so it’s worth putting your mind at rest.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Type 2 is caused by your body not being able to produce enough insulin, or that insulin not working properly. Insulin is a hormone which helps to break down the carbohydrates or sugars in our food, so without it, blood sugar rises and can cause a number of problems including

• The need to “pee” a  lot, especially at night.
• Feeling more thirsty and/ or more tired than usual.
• Personal itching or thrush.
• Blurred vision.

If left untreated it can become very serious indeed and lead to

• • Wounds not healing properly
  • Circulation problems & numbness
  • Heart & kidney problems
  • Worsening sight or blindness

What are the risk factors for Diabetes?

If  any of the following apply you may be at more risk. You can ask your GP if you havent already had a test for diabetes, or we’d be happy to do this

• Age over 45
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesteerol
• Parent with diabetes
• Overweight
• Little physical activity