Checking for diabetes
Diabetes is a health condition that’s easily managed, but potentially detrimental if left undiagnosed or untreated.
Over 1.5 million Australians live with diabetes, which comes in three forms: type 1, which usually stems from genetic predisposition; type 2, which can be caused by genetics and lifestyle choices and makes up roughly 90 per cent of cases; and gestational diabetes, which affects pregnant women.
All forms are caused when the body has trouble creating or using insulin in blood cells (insulin breaks down the sugars we consume every day into glucose).
Those most at risk of developing type 2 are people over 40 years old with a family history of diabetes, and those who are smokers, physically inactive, have poor nutrition, or have high blood pressure. If you fall into any of these categories, you should get tested.
With Amcal’s Diabetes Risk Assessment, it's easier than ever. This 15-minute test - completed at your local Amcal pharmacy - will not only determine if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes, but also give you a personalised, easy-to-follow plan that will help you reduce your risk of developing the condition. All that's required from you for the assessment is to answer some questions about your lifestyle, family history and health status, and complete a small finger-prick, which measures the amount of sugar attached to your red blood cells.
Over 1.5 million Australians live with diabetes, which comes in three forms: type 1, which usually stems from genetic predisposition; type 2, which can be caused by genetics and lifestyle choices and makes up roughly 90 per cent of cases; and gestational diabetes, which affects pregnant women.
All forms are caused when the body has trouble creating or using insulin in blood cells (insulin breaks down the sugars we consume every day into glucose).
Those most at risk of developing type 2 are people over 40 years old with a family history of diabetes, and those who are smokers, physically inactive, have poor nutrition, or have high blood pressure. If you fall into any of these categories, you should get tested.
With Amcal’s Diabetes Risk Assessment, it's easier than ever. This 15-minute test - completed at your local Amcal pharmacy - will not only determine if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes, but also give you a personalised, easy-to-follow plan that will help you reduce your risk of developing the condition. All that's required from you for the assessment is to answer some questions about your lifestyle, family history and health status, and complete a small finger-prick, which measures the amount of sugar attached to your red blood cells.
Take steps to manage your diabetes
A quick and easy blood test is one of the first step to uncovering your risk of type 2 diabetes. On-the-spot finger prick blood test (HbA1c)* measures the amount of glucose (sugar) attached to your red blood cells.
If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your Amcal pharmacist can also guide you on how to best manage the condition. Your Amcal pharmacist will provide you with a personalised Diabetes Management Review, which covers:
- Heart health
- Kidney health
- Weight management
- Sleep health
- Foot care
- Eye care
Even though there isn’t a definitive cure for diabetes, millions of people around Australia live full and happy lives through proper management.
