Find Out Your 10-Year Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes
Millions have Type 2 Diabetes and don’t know it. The NowPatient Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service uses the validated FINDRISC method to calculate your personal 10-year risk without lab tests. Free and automatic, it updates with your health profile, alerts you when your risk changes, and can qualify you directly for weight loss support, if qualified.
Smooth, simple, seamless
Your Guide to Using the Type 2 Diabetes Risk App Feature
- Step 1.
Open Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card, tap ‘Unlock’ icon
1 - Step 2.
Complete Your Health Profile
2 - Step 3.
Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card will now activate
3 - Step 4.
Receive health risk alerts via In-App & Push notifications
4 - Step 5.
Regularly update profile to track lifestyle risk changes
5
SERVICE GUIDE
How Type 2 Diabetes Risk Works
What Is the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service?
The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is a clinical risk assessment that scores your 10-year risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It uses the FINDRISC (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score) method, which was designed by Lindström and Tuomilehto in 2003. NowPatient’s Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service has been developed with the permission of Jaana Lindström, one of the inventors of the method.
FINDRISC requires no laboratory testing and has been scientifically validated in multiple populations. The evidence base can be reviewed at:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00412-1/fulltext
The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations for its intended use. It is free for all registered NowPatient users.
How to Access Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk Score
Navigate to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of your account homepage to find the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card.
If you completed your Health Profile when you first created your NowPatient account, your score will be automatically calculated and displayed within the Service Card. NowPatient uses the data in your health profile to determine your risk automatically.
If the Health Profile was not completed, the Service Card will appear locked. Select the ‘Unlock’ button on the card and you will be presented with a series of questions to complete. Once finished, you will be redirected to the account homepage where your score will be displayed on the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card.
NowPatient advises all users to update their Health Profile monthly, and before any NowPatient Service Consultations they may book. Updated information may affect your risk score, allowing you to track the benefits of any lifestyle or medication interventions.
What Information Is Used to Calculate Your Score?
The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service uses the following special category data from your health profile:
- Age
- BMI
- Physical activity
- Vegetable & fruit intake
- Medical treatment of hypertension
- History of hyperglycaemia
- Family history of diabetes
How Will I Be Notified About My Risk?
NowPatient’s AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your risk factors. If the algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive:
- A push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, sent directly to your device
- An In-App notification viewable in the ‘Notifications’ section of your account homepage
You can also view the warning advisory at any time by selecting the ‘View Warning’ button on the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card.
What Do the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Scores Mean?
The table below explains each risk category, what your score means, and the recommended actions.
| Score | Risk Category | What to Do |
| 0–7 Points | Very Low Risk | You only have a 1% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as very low risk and do not need to take any action, however, you can discuss this with your doctor at your next appointment. |
| 7–11 Points | Low Risk | You only have a 4% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as low risk and you do not need to take any action, however, you can discuss this with your doctor at your next appointment. |
| 12–14 Points | Moderate Risk | You have a 17% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as moderate risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increasing activity can reduce your chances of developing diabetes in the future.
It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing. Also, ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live. If you are an NHS patient, you should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to check your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) levels: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/going-regular-check-ups/ |
| 15–20 Points | High Risk | You have a 33% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increasing activity can reduce your chances of developing diabetes in the future.
It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing. Also, ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live. If you are an NHS patient, you should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to check your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) levels: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/going-regular-check-ups/ |
| 21–30 Points | Very High Risk | You have a 50% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. You are classed as very high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increasing activity can reduce your chances of developing diabetes in the future.
It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing. Also, ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live. If you are an NHS patient, you should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to check your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) levels: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/going-regular-check-ups/ |
What Should I Do If My Score Puts Me at Risk?
If the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service classifies you as ‘at risk’, it is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test for diabetes, as you could have Type 2 Diabetes for years without knowing.
NowPatient may also automatically qualify you for risk-reducing strategies such as the Weight Loss Programs Service. You will be notified if you are eligible.
Ask your doctor about programmes and services that could help reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. These services will be different depending on where you live.
Does a High Score Mean I Will Definitely Develop Type 2 Diabetes?
No. The scores only predict the likelihood of you developing Type 2 Diabetes. They do not mean you will definitely develop the condition. Early risk-based interventions and lifestyle changes could reduce your risk of developing the condition.
How Do I Update My Risk Score?
Update your Health Profile monthly and before any NowPatient Service Consultations you may book. The updated information you submit may affect your Type 2 Diabetes Risk Score, which will be reflected as an updated score on the Service Card. This allows you to track the benefits of any lifestyle or medication interventions over time.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes include:
- Toilet — going for a wee a lot, especially at night
- Thirsty — being really thirsty
- Tired — feeling more tired than usual
- Thinner — losing weight without trying to
- Genital itching or thrush
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
- Blurred eyesight
- Increased hunger
What Are the Limitations of the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service?
The Type 2 Diabetes Risk calculation uses FINDRISC (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score), which is a widely used tool to estimate the 10-year risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. As with any risk assessment screening, there are limitations:
Population Bias
Less accurate in non-Finnish or diverse ethnic groups.
No Lab Tests
Misses blood sugar abnormalities that would only be detected through laboratory testing.
Self-Report Errors
Users may misreport lifestyle and measurements, which could affect the accuracy of the score.
Simplicity
Misses complex or emerging risk factors that are not captured by the seven input variables.
Not Dynamic
A single assessment does not reflect changes over time — which is why NowPatient recommends updating your Health Profile monthly.
Not Diagnostic
Cannot confirm diabetes or prediabetes. A positive result should always be followed up with a blood test ordered by your doctor.