Scotland to rollout diabetes test for Type 1 patients

Misdiagnosed Type 1 diabetes patients could be freed from the need to take insulin after a new test is rolled out.

Scotland will become the first country to offer the C-peptide blood test to all patients who have had a Type 1 diagnosis for at least three years. The test shows how much insulin a patient's body is producing itself.

A pilot by NHS Lothian allowed some people who had been taking insulin to stop or reduce the treatment. The test will be available from 1 November.

C-peptide testing, which has been used as part of diagnosis for some patients for many years, can help distinguish whether a patient has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. C-peptide is made in the body at the same time as insulin. By testing levels of C-peptide, doctors can work out how much insulin a diabetes patient is making themselves.

If C-peptide is present in significant amounts, it might indicate that the person does not have Type 1 diabetes at all, and consequently may not need daily insulin injections.

The tests will be offered at hospital diabetes centres.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said that tackling diabetes was a priority for the Scottish government and that she wanted everyone living with diabetes to access safe, effective healthcare, treatment and support.

She said: "Type 1 diabetes is a significant health challenge right across the world."

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Source: BBC News, 31 October 2021