Safescreen Home Test Kits

Over 2 million British adults are affected by diabetes; the World Health Organization has officially stated that the UK has an epidemic. Unhealthy diets, obesity and a lack of exercise are the main causes of diabetes. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and strokes. It is the main cause of kidney failure, limb amputations and blindness in adults.

The SafeScreen self-test kit can help identify diabetes at an early stage, before it causes any symptoms. This means that you can begin to have treatment and reduce the risk of complications immediately. Most cases of diabetes can be treated just with simple, dietary measures and oral medication.

A Diabetes Test Kit should be used every three years by anyone who is obese; over the age of 45; suffers from high blood pressure; has a close relative with diabetes; or is a member of a high risk ethnic group.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

There are two types of diabetes (known as type 1 & 2) and symptoms are similar for both. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes appear rapidly, in a matter of weeks and are more severe. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which is by far the most common type, develop gradually, over a long period of time. This often leads to people wrongly assuming that the symptoms are just due to increasing age. They may overlook Diabetes as the cause until they are diagnosed.  

It's important to be tested for diabetes if you have any of the following common symptoms of the disease:

• Increased thirst and dry mouth
• The need to urinate more than usual (especially at night)
• Weight loss
• Genital itching or recurrent thrush
• Tiredness and weakness
• Tendency to get minor infections e.g. boils or thrush
• Blurred vision
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

What are the causes of diabetes?

Eating too many sweets does not cause diabetes! You cannot catch diabetes, but everyone’s’ risk of developing type 2 diabetes rises as they get older. The most important risk factors are being overweight and a lack of exercise. Other risk factors appear to be:

• A family history of diabetes (the closer the relative; the greater the risk)
• The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is partly related to the genes you've inherited
• Pancreatic disorders - the pancreas produces insulin, so any disease that affects the pancreas may reduce the production of insulin
• Cow’s milk - some studies suggest that exposure to cow’s milk during infancy may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes
• Women who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in later life
• Those with an African-Caribbean or South Asian background who live in the UK are at least five times more likely to have diabetes than the white population. People of African-Caribbean or South Asian origin are also more likely to develop complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, at a younger age than the rest of the population

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is the name given for a condition when there is too much glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. The levels of glucose in your body are regulated by a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by a gland behind your stomach called the pancreas. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s because your pancreas either produces no insulin; not enough insulin; or the insulin it does produce is not good enough.

When we eat our bodies breakdown food in to a simple form of sugar called glucose. What insulin does is to allow glucose to move from the blood into the body's millions of cells and be converted into the energy needed for daily life. Insulin is the only hormone in the body that can lower your glucose levels; if you don’t produce enough insulin, your blood glucose levels build rise; uncontrolled high blood sugar can lead to a number of long-term complications including circulatory problems (that can lead to limb amputation) and vision impairment that may end in blindness. There are two main types of diabetes known as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. 90% of diabetics have Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is often called early on-set diabetes; Juvenile diabetes or Insulin-dependent diabetes. It normally affects children and young adults and will usually become apparent before the age of 40. People with type 1 diabetes will be dependent on regular insulin injections and medical attention for the rest of their lives. This is because the people with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce any insulin of their own. This may be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors or as a result of damage to the pancreas from a virus or autoimmune reaction were the body starts attacking and destroying the cells in its own pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is sometimes called non-insulin dependent diabetes, and mostly appears in people over 40. Type 2 diabetes was considered the 'milder' form of diabetes in the past because many people could control type 2 diabetes by diet alone. Although over time, a careful diet may not be enough and oral medication and, ultimately, insulin injections may be required to keep the diabetes under control. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to regulate your blood glucose levels or the insulin produced is abnormal and so does not work properly. Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to obesity.  If you are overweight, losing weight, eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise this will greatly reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

The following risk factors increase the chances of someone developing type 2 diabetes:

• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity

Rarer causes of diabetes include:

• Certain medicines
• Pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Any illness or disease that damages the pancreas and affects its ability to produce insulin, such as pancreatitis

How can I prevent diabetes?

You may be at risk of developing type II diabetes if it runs in your family or if you are overweight and don’t get a lot of exercise. The best thing you can do to try and prevent diabetes is to have a healthy diet and take regular exercise.  A healthy diet is one that is low in saturated fat, salt and sugary snacks and drinks. Try to have regular meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar level constant and eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. If you are a smoker, stop smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. If you have diabetes, you can still eat foods such as chocolate and sweets as long as you keep your overall diet healthy.

How do I Perform the Test?

As with all SafeScreen’s home test kits, everything you need to carry out and interpret a test is included with your order. The test for Diabetes can be performed discretely, in the privacy of your home by following the easy step by step instructions. Results are available in minutes rather than the days or weeks normally required to obtain laboratory results.

A drop of blood from a skin prick will be placed in the test kit cassette and will give you an accurate reading of your glucose levels in minutes.

• A high result indicates excess glucose in your blood. This does not always mean you are diabetic. However, it is very important that you visit your doctor to discuss your test result
• A low result means no excess glucose was found in your blood. If the result is low and you do not have any symptoms, you do not need to do anything else.

All orders for SafeScreen tests received before 4.15pm are dispatched the same day. Your test kit will be delivered discretely in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents inside the box. Boxes are then posted inside a secure mail bag to ensure your complete privacy.

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