It is important to diagnose diabetes as early as possible so that treatment can be started. If you experience symptoms, you should see your GP as soon as possible. They will ask you about your symptons and ask for a urine sample.

Urine and blood tests

Your urine sample will be tested to see if it contains glucose. Normally, urine does not contain glucose, but if you have diabetes, some glucose can overflow through the kidneys and into the urine.

If your urine contains glucose, your GP will also carry out a blood test, which can confirm the diagnosis of .diabetes A sample of your blood will be taken in the morning, before you have had anything to eat, and it will be tested to measure your blood glucose levels.

If your blood glucose levels are not high enough for your GP to diagnose diabetes, you may need to have an oral glucose tolerance test. This is also sometimes referred to as a glucose tolerance test (GTT). Your GP will give you a glucose drink and take blood tests every half an hour, for two hours, to see how your body is dealing with the glucose.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your GP may do further blood and urine tests to find out whether you have type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, in some cases it may be clear to your GP from your symptoms and medical history which type of diabetes you have.

You may be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes if you are found to have antibodies that attack insulin-producing cells in your blood, or if you have acids in your urine.