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Many more people are impacted by diabetes than you may think. In fact, recent data shared by Diabetes UK showed that there are almost 4.6 million people in the UK diagnosed with diabetes.

Around 8% of those have type 1 diabetes, while 90% have type 2 diabetes or another form. The same research shows that an additional 1.3 million people in the UK could be living with type 2 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed.

That’s why checking for diabetes is so important. The disease occurs when blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are too high and insulin levels are too low, or cells stop responding to insulin. Home diabetes testing makes spotting the signs far easier and more accessible than waiting for hospital appointments.

Below, we explore what home diabetes testing can and can’t tell you before we dive into the specifics of urine testing to check glucose and ketone levels.

We also share our advice on early diabetes indicators, lifestyle changes to make if you’re at risk.

Early signs and symptoms of diabetes

There are a number of overarching signs of diabetes to look out for, which are:

• Increased thirst and/or hunger
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight change
• Extreme fatigue
• Wounds that are slow to heal

Below are some more specific indicators of type 1 and type 2 diabetes that can seen alongside the generic indicators above. If you are experiencing any of these, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and next steps.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• ‘Fruity breath’ or ‘acetone breath’ (where the breath has a distinct smell that points toward diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Extreme weight loss (typically more severe than in type 2 diabetics)

Type 2 diabetes symptoms

• Unexplained and/or extreme weight gain
• Tingling or numbness in hands and/or feet
• Dark patches developing in skin folds (indicates insulin resistance)

Testing for diabetes at home: What it can and can’t tell you

Although testing for diabetes at home can’t medically diagnose whether or not you have a type of diabetes, it does help provide some solid indicators.

These indicators relate to specific biomarkers in your body and what these tell you about your blood sugar levels.

What home testing can show

Blood sugar levels

You can get an accurate reading of your glucose levels as a current snapshot.

High glucose indicates the possibility of diabetes, while normal levels point towards a much lower likelihood of being diabetic.

Consistently low levels of glucose can suggest that you’re experiencing hypoglycemia, which can be common in those diagnosed with diabetes but not managing it effectively. As medical research proves, glycemic control is essential in managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Dietary and lifestyle reactions

At-home tests can help you evaluate how your glucose levels respond to particular types of food or drink. It can also show you how your glucose levels respond to stress and exercise.

Taking these tests routinely and recording the results can help you spot patterns that will help you build a bigger picture of your overall health.

Diabetes maintenance

Home diabetes markers tests aren’t just helpful for those who haven’t been officially diagnosed, they are also great for those who have.

Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels helps ensure that things like medications and lifestyle choices are supporting your health sufficiently.

What home testing can’t confirm

Medical diagnosis

A self-test kit isn’t enough to confirm an official diabetes diagnosis. Medical professionals will use lab tests like A1C tests, fasting blood sugar levels, and oral glucose tolerance tests to determine whether or not you are diabetic.

Long-term blood sugar levels

While home testing kits are an excellent way to get a reading of your current glucose levels, they don’t allow you to assess it over a long period of time.Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and consistently over an extended period is critical in coming to an official diagnosis of symptoms.

Definitive reasons for high glucose

While a glucose indicator test can tell you valuable information about your blood sugar levels, it can’t determine the reasons why they are high, normal or low.

There are lots of reasons for high or low blood sugar levels, including hormone-related issues. A self-test won’t be able to attribute your symptoms to one specific health problem.

Other biomarkers

Identifying, preventing and monitoring diabetes is about much more than just glucose levels. It’s also about other key factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney function, which a diabetes self-test cannot be used to assess.

So, while at-home diabetes test kits have their limitations, they are extremely useful tools in identifying and monitoring tell-tale symptoms.

Glucose and ketones: What your urine indicates

Two key biomarkers to track when assessing possible symptoms of type 1 or type 2 diabetes are the level of glucose and ketones in your urine. This is what’s known as running a urinalysis test.

If high levels of these are present in your urine, it may mean you have high blood sugar levels or are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Checking for high amounts of glucose and ketones in your urine can be done quickly, easily, and affordably at home with a simple strip test.

These types of tests will analyse the presence of ketones and levels of glucose over 100mg/dl - both of which suggest you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.

Read more: Check out our top 12 tips for getting accurate results from self-tests.

A way of life: Preventing diabetes

While diabetes can be a hereditary disease passed along in your genetics, regardless of diet and lifestyle, it can also be induced by poor nutrition, obesity and lack of physical activity.

Here are some effective ways to prevent the onset of diabetes if it isn’t already in your family:

• Maintain a healthy weight and be proactive in reducing your body weight if you become overweight or obese.
• Stay active and aim for a minimum of 3 hours of movement and exercise every week. Finding things you enjoy, from swimming to weight training or playing support, will help make an active lifestyle attainable and sustainable.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet high in whole foods, fibre and protein and low in processed ingredients, refined sugar and saturated fats.
• Quit smoking if you’re a smoker as this will help improve your health holistically.
• Prioritise sleep, and hydration and keep your stress levels as low as possible.

Start by taking a simple diabetes urine test

If you think you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of diabetes, speak to a medical professional who will be able to officially diagnose the disease and treat you.

However, self-testing is a great place to begin if you want to start understanding your body and blood sugar levels better - and you don’t even need to worry about needles.

Our rapid diabetes glucose and ketones test kit is an easy, pain-free way to test for the two key biomarkers that point towards diabetes.

Here’s how the test works:

1. Collect a urine sample in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
2. Dip the test strip in the sample.
3. Wait 60-120 seconds for your results.

If glucose and ketones are present in your urine, it may mean you have high blood sugar levels or are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

The great thing about this test, in particular, is that it also includes eight additional health parameters to give you a broad picture of your overall health. With this knowledge and our support, you can take your next steps more confidently and manage your wellness more effectively.

If you have a history of diabetes in your family or you’re experiencing common symptoms, it’s vital to get assessed by a professional to avoid healthcare complications.

There is a huge amount of support out there for people dealing with diabetes, which means even if you are diagnosed, you can live a happy, healthy, fulfilled life.