More then 4.3million people are currently living with a diagnosis of diabetes, according to Diabetes UK. However, it's believed a further 850,000 could be living undiagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Some symptoms of diabetes are widely recognised, such as weeing more than usual, feeling thirty and tired all the time, weight loss or blurred vision, but some signs go undetected.
It's important to be aware of the lesser known symptoms, because the earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment is started, the better. According to the NHS, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, vision loss and blindness, among other health issues.
A doctor has shared one of these little-known symptoms that people should be on the lookout for - hair loss.
According to Dr Greg Vida, senior surgeon at Harley Street Hair Clinic, diabetes can lead to hair loss, so if you're experiencing this without knowing the cause, you should speak to a GP.
Dr Vida explained to The Mirror: "There are a few ways that diabetes can lead to hair loss by disrupting the hair follicle growth cycle.
"Firstly, diabetes can cause sugar to accumulate in the blood, which can damage blood vessels. These damaged blood vessels can then no longer bring enough oxygen to hair follicles, which can interrupt and stop the hair growth cycle.
"The hair follicles instead enter a resting and shedding phase, instead of a growth phase. This means that hairs lie dormant and stop growing, before shedding, causing hair thinning and loss on the scalp."
He continued: "Another way diabetes can cause hair loss is the lack of insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that carries sugar out of your blood vessels and away to cells that need it.
"These cells break the sugar down into energy, which then allows the cells to carry out their normal functions. In the case of hair follicles, this means creating hair.
"Therefore if you aren't producing enough insulin, the sugar won't be carried to the hair follicles so hair cannot grow. Instead, hair follicles again enter the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, before shedding."
According to Dr Vida, as with other diabetes symptoms, you may find that once you have your blood sugar levels under control, the hair will grow back - albeit at a slower rate.
If you're already diagnosed as diabetic but still noticing your hair is falling out, Dr Vida recommends booking a consultation with a hair loss specialist to discuss treatment options.
If your hair has started thinning or you're losing strands, and you're worried it could be down to a medical condition, you should speak to your GP.
Dr Vida added: "There are lots of reasons you may be losing your hair - it could be stress, hormonal changes, hereditary, vitamin deficiencies or more - but if you're experiencing it alongside other diabetes symptoms, you should consult with your doctor for a potential diagnosis.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
