WHAT SHOULD YOUR SUGAR LEVELS BE?

The most accurate way to check your sugar levels is to go to your GP, who can perform a Hba1c pinprick test. By measuring glycated haemoglobin (Hba1c), clinicians can determine average blood sugar level over eight to 12 weeks. You can reasonably ask for a test from your GP if you are overweight, over 40 or have a family member with diabetes.

For an overthe-counter testing method, there are hometesting kits that contain a lancet with which to prick your finger. You then put a drop of blood on a test strip and place the strip into a special measuring device known as a glucose meter. The Selfcheck blood glucose level test (£14.99 from Lloyds Pharmacy) claims to offer a reliable result within two minutes.

A normal blood-sugar range is less than 6 per cent or 42 mmol. For pre-diabetes, it’s between 6 and 6.4 per cent, or 42-47 mmol. The threshold for a diagnosis of diabetes is more than 6.4 per cent or 47 mmol.