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The head of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland has written a letter to local media outlets encouraging them to find out the symptoms of type 1 diabetes. These can be easily remembered at the 4Ts - Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner.
Tina McCrossan from Diabetes UK NI explains that a simple finger prick blood test can identify the illness and early diagnosis can save lives.
Dear Editor,
This World Diabetes Day (Saturday 14 November), Diabetes UK is encouraging everyone in County Down to know the ‘4T’ symptoms of type 1 diabetes, and help save lives.
The 4Ts are Toilet (weeing more frequently), Thirsty (excessive thirst), Tired (unusual tiredness) and Thinner (unexplained weight loss). The symptoms can develop quickly, particularly in children and young people, often appearing over weeks or even days.
These symptoms may often appear alongside other illnesses. This means some people aren’t diagnosed until they become seriously unwell in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - a potentially life-threatening condition caused by a severe lack of insulin in the body.
However, with a simple finger-prick blood glucose test, type 1 diabetes can be identified quickly. Early diagnosis could prevent emergency admissions due to DKA, sparing families the heartbreak of seeing their loved ones critically ill.
That’s why I am asking everyone in County Down to take a moment to get familiar with the 4Ts and to share the signs with others. If a child has any one of these symptoms, particularly if it seems unusual to them, the message is simple – think type 1 and ask your GP for a blood glucose test immediately. A simple test could make all the difference and could even save a life.
Thank you,
Tina McCrossan, Head of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland
