Type 2 diabetes is one of the most widespread chronic conditions in Morocco, and one of the longest ignored by those who have it. It can progress for five to ten years without clear symptoms, while gradually damaging blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Hence the importance of screening: the earlier it happens, the more avoidable the complications.

What is type 2 diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes the body still produces insulin, but cells respond to it poorly — this is insulin resistance. The pancreas compensates by producing more, until it becomes exhausted. Sugar then stays in the bloodstream instead of entering cells, and blood glucose rises persistently.

This mechanism differs from type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that tends to appear in children and young adults and requires insulin from diagnosis.

Signs that should prompt attention

Symptoms appear late and stay subtle for a long time:

  • Unusual thirst and frequent urination, including at night.
  • Persistent fatigue, especially after meals.
  • Weight loss without dieting, or conversely abdominal weight gain.
  • Slow wound healing, repeated skin or urinary infections.
  • Intermittently blurred vision.
  • Tingling or numbness in the feet and hands.

None of these signs is specific on its own. It is their combination, or their appearance in someone at risk, that justifies a blood test.

Who should be screened, and how often?

Screening is recommended every 1 to 3 years from the age of 40, and earlier if a risk factor is present:

  • overweight, particularly with a large waist circumference;
  • diabetes in a parent or sibling;
  • high blood pressure or raised cholesterol;
  • gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy;
  • a markedly sedentary lifestyle;
  • polycystic ovary syndrome.

The values to know

TestNormalPrediabetesDiabetes
Fasting blood glucose< 1.10 g/l1.10 – 1.25 g/l≥ 1.26 g/l (on two occasions)
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)< 5.7 %5.7 – 6.4 %≥ 6.5 %

Prediabetes is not a foregone conclusion: at this stage, losing 5 to 7 % of body weight and doing 150 minutes of physical activity per week cuts the risk of progressing to diabetes by more than half. It is the most rewarding window for action.

What does good follow-up look like?

Every 3 months

An HbA1c test, which reflects average blood glucose over the previous three months. The usual target is below 7 %, adjusted for age and other conditions.

Once a year

  • Kidney assessment (creatinine, microalbuminuria).
  • Lipid profile and blood pressure.
  • Retinal examination by an ophthalmologist.
  • Foot examination looking for loss of sensation.
  • Dental check-up.

This schedule is not excessive: it is precisely what allows an emerging complication to be caught while it is still reversible.

The role of teleconsultation in follow-up

Stable type 2 diabetes lends itself well to remote follow-up: reviewing test results, adjusting treatment, renewing prescriptions, answering day-to-day questions. This markedly reduces the number of trips required while maintaining a regular monitoring rhythm — the main cause of failed follow-up being missed appointments.

You can schedule a follow-up consultation with a general practitioner or an endocrinologist, or browse the available specialists.