‘ Routine’ blood test could let diabetics cut out insulin jabs

S o me p a t i e n t s w i t h Ty p e 1 diabetes could be able to stop injecting insulin, thanks to a new blood test being used by doctors in Edinburgh.

The simple test can identif y previ ousl y unrecognise d forms of the condition.

The findings mean some sufferers swap daily insulin jabs for other medication.

Pr o f e s s o r Mark S t r a c ha n, c o n s u l t a n t i n d i a b e t e s a n d e n d o c r i n o l o g y a t t h e c i t y ’s Wes t e r n G e n e r a l Ho s p i t a l , said the test allows “precise” diagnosis and could be “life - changing” for some patients.

It has now been introduced as part of routine care for Type 1 diabetes at the hospital.

He said: “We introduced the C- peptide blood test because it allows us to more precise in determining the underlying cause of somebody’s diabetes.

“Thus far we’ve tested over 400 people with Type 1 diabe - tes and we’ve identified there are some who actually have Ty p e 2 d i a b e t e s a n d s o m e who have other genetic forms of diabetes.

“We have already got seven p e opl e of f i ns ul i n a n d ont o other treatment and it’s ver y likely there will be more in the near future.”

Prof Strachan said the test provides more specific diagn o s i s o f d i a b e t e s , a l l ow i n g treatment to be personalised to individual needs.

It could also be used to identify children and others who are likely to develop the condition, potentially helping them avoid future complications.

Results from the blood testi n g a r e a l s o p r ov i d i n g n e w insights into diabetes, he said.

It had always been thought Typ e 1 sufferers do not pro - duce any insulin, but recent research shows there are sev- eral variants of the condition.

“What we a r e di s c ove r i ng i s Ty p e 1 d i a b e t e s i s p r o b ab l y mor e c o mpl ex t h a n we thought,” said Prof Strachan.

“We’ve always believed that p eople with Typ e 1 diab etes make little or no insulin themselves, which is why they have to take injections.

“What we’re seeing with the C- peptide test is a small cohort of people with true Type 1 diabetes are actually carrying on making insulin for a lot longer than we had imagined. That’s ver y different from what we had hitherto believed.”

Hea l t h c a mpai g n e r s h ave welcomed the latest findings.

D r E m i l y B u r n s , h e a d o f research communications at the charity Diabetes UK, said: “Getting the right diagnosis of diabetes is incredibly important, as it means you’ll receive the most effective treatment.”