Diabetes Misdiagnosis Claims

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes typically develops during childhood or adolescence. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin, either through injections or an insulin pump, to manage their blood sugar levels and maintain their health.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and usually develops in adulthood, although it can occur at any age. It is often associated with lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity.

In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Management typically involves lifestyle changes, oral medications or insulin therapy.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes can develop between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy when the hormones produced by the placenta interfere with the body’s ability to use insulin effectively.

It requires careful monitoring and management to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. In most cases, it resolves after delivery, but it does increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

It is an important early warning sign, as untreated pre-diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and related complications.

Common causes of pre-diabetes include:

• Insulin resistance: The body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
• Genetics and family history: A family history of diabetes increases your risk.
• Lifestyle factors: Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet (high in processed foods and sugary drinks), and excess body weight are major contributors.

Pre-diabetes often shows no symptoms, which is why regular screenings are recommended for individuals at risk. If you are diagnosed with the condition, this is an opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes to prevent or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes, such as:

• Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
• Engage in regular exercise such as walking and cycling to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight to lower blood sugar levels.
• Schedule regular check-ups to monitor blood sugar and overall health.

If your healthcare provider has failed to diagnose hyperglycaemia and your condition has progressed to type 2 diabetes, you might be entitled to make a diabetes medical negligence claim.

• Type 1 diabetes: The immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it likely involves a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, such as viral infections.
• Type 2 diabetes: It usually develops due to both genetic and lifestyle factors. The main risk factors include being overweight, unhealthy eating habits, a family history of diabetes, increased age and certain medical conditions.
• Gestational diabetes: It is caused by hormonal changes that increase insulin resistance. It is more likely to occur in women who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or have previously had gestational diabetes.

• Frequent urination and increased thirst.
• Unexplained weight loss despite an increased appetite.
• Feeling tired because glucose cannot enter the cells to be used as energy.
• Blurred vision and other vision problems.
• Slow healing of wounds, causing minor cuts and sores to take longer to heal than usual.
• Increased susceptibility to infections, such as urinary tract, yeast, and skin infections.
• Tingling or numbness, especially in the hands and feet.

The diagnostic process may include the following steps:

Medical history

This plays an essential role in diagnosing diabetes. Your healthcare provider will assess your risk factors by asking you about:

• Symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
• Whether any family members have been diagnosed with diabetes.
• Medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease or obesity.
• Medications and lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity and smoking habits.

This information, along with further testing, will help doctors make an accurate diagnosis and decide the appropriate treatment plan. It is essential to provide thorough and accurate information during the medical history assessment to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.

Physical examination

A physical examination is necessary for diagnosing diabetes. During a physical exam, your doctor may:

• Measure your weight, height and body mass index (BMI), as obesity is a significant risk factor.
• Check your blood pressure, which is often elevated in people with diabetes.
• Examine your skin for infections or darkened patches (acanthosis nigricans) linked to insulin resistance.
• Assess your eyes for signs of diabetic retinopathy.
• Examine your feet and legs for poor circulation, nerve damage or foot ulcers.

While a physical exam alone cannot confirm diabetes, it provides valuable insight into your overall health and possible complications.

Blood tests

Blood tests are essential to confirm a diabetes diagnosis. Common diagnostic tests include:

• The Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) test measures your blood sugar level after fasting for at least 8 hours. A result of 126mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions indicates diabetes.
• The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) involves drinking a sugary solution, followed by blood sugar measurements at different intervals. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher after two hours indicates diabetes.
• The Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. An HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.

Random blood sugar test

If you have severe symptoms of diabetes, a random blood sugar test may be done at any time. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher, along with other symptoms, may suggest diabetes.

If your healthcare provider has failed to give you a correct diagnosis and this has caused you pain and suffering, a solicitor can help you claim compensation.

• Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.
• Engaging in regular exercise to lower blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight.
• Regularly checking blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter to understand how your body responds to different foods, activities, and medications.
• Oral medications or insulin injections to help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Ongoing monitoring and regular medical visits.

Diabetes management is a lifelong commitment, and it is essential to work closely with your doctor to develop a personalised treatment plan that suits your needs. By actively managing your condition, you can reduce the risk of complications and maintain a good quality of life.

• Heart attack and stroke – Consistently high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of coronary artery disease, a heart attack or stroke.
• Nerve damage – Elevated blood sugar levels over a prolonged period can damage the nerves throughout the body, mainly affecting the arms and legs.
• Amputations – Amputations are a potential complication of diabetes, particularly when the condition is not well managed and gives rise to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and diabetic neuropathy.
• Kidney disease and failure – High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Blindness – Diabetes can also damage the blood vessels in the retina, causing it to swell and impair its ability to transmit clear visual signals to the brain.
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – It is a common complication of diabetes that occurs when there is a build-up of fatty deposits and plaque in the arteries in the legs and feet.
• Miscarriage and stillbirth – Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels in pregnant women with diabetes can negatively impact the health of the developing foetus.

If you have developed any of the above or other complications due to the misdiagnosis of diabetes, you might be entitled to start a compensation claim.

Some possible scenarios that can contribute to a wrongful diagnosis of diabetes include the following:

• Inaccurate laboratory tests – Diagnostic tests may be incorrectly interpreted or temporarily affected by factors such as illness, medication or stress.
• Misinterpretation of symptoms – Failing to investigate common symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination or fatigue can result in a wrongful diagnosis.
• Diagnostic errors – Factors such as medical history, family history, lifestyle factors, and physical examination findings should all be considered for an accurate diagnosis.
• Insufficient follow-up testing – Diabetes diagnosis often requires multiple tests over time to confirm the presence of the condition. If follow-up testing is inadequate or omitted, it can lead to a false diagnosis.

If you believe you have been wrongly diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to seek a second medical opinion to confirm or reassess the diagnosis. If you were misdiagnosed and this has caused avoidable harm, you could be eligible for compensation.

To start a claim on behalf of your child, you must apply to the court to be appointed as their litigation friend. They will determine your eligibility by verifying whether you have a conflict of interest with the child and that you can conduct legal proceedings fairly and competently.

If you manage to secure compensation for your child, this must be approved by a judge during an Infant Approval Hearing. The settlement will typically be kept in a court bank account or a personal injury trust and released to the child when they turn 18.