Type 2 diabetes symptoms? How to correctly recognize if YOU are at high risk

However, now experts have announced a new approach - analyzing specific molecules in the body -  which could lead to a more accurate identification of people at high risk of the disease.

Researchers said the discoveries could help hold the global increase of type 2 diabetes which affect millions of people globally.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have discovered potential new predictors, or biological markers of diabetes in the form of proteins and molecules called micro-RNAs.

They said these could become new objectives for diabetes drug development to help treat losses.

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition characterized by high blood sugar and serious long-term complications including eye, kidney, nerve and heart disease, reducing life expectancy if it is not well managed.

“But a other exact means of expecting those at greatest risk is an important part of that effort.”

He said the project would use ‘cutting-edge’ technology to tackle an important public health issue and would be able to help treat individuals.

But by the time diabetes develops, the cells are no longer able to make enough insulin to process and store food.

The scientists looked at the proteins found in the blood samples of people studied three years before they developed type 2 diabetes and compared these with samples from people of similar age and weight who maintained normal blood sugar.

Experts found both approaches selected a sequence of molecules in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition pathway - a series of changes in b-cells which could reflect a form of stress as they lose 

their insulin-producing properties due to overwork.

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Dr Emily Burns, Head of Research Communications at Diabetes UK, said: “Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to devastating complications, such as eye and kidney damage, heart disease and amputations.

"That’s why it’s important that we find more efficient ways of identifying those at high risk and prevent more people from developing the condition.

“This study has detected new signs in the body which are linked to the development of Type 2 diabetes. But there isn’t enough evidence that testing for these signs could help identify people at high risk.