What is the NowPatient Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service?
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.
What is the FINDRISC method?
FINDRISC stands for Finnish Diabetes Risk Score. It was designed by Lindström and Tuomilehto in 2003 to estimate a person’s 10-year risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
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 here
Is the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service free?
Yes. The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is a free service available to all registered NowPatient users.
Is the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service a medical device?
Yes. The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations for its intended use.
Where do I find the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service in my account?
Navigate to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of your account homepage. The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service Card will be displayed there. If you completed your Health Profile when you first created your NowPatient account, your score will already be calculated and visible. If not, the card will appear locked — select the ‘Unlock’ button and complete the series of questions to activate it.
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 my Type 2 Diabetes Risk 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
What do the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Scores mean?
Your score places you into one of five risk categories. The table below explains each category and the recommended actions:
How will I be notified about my risk level?
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.
How do I update my Type 2 Diabetes 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 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.
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), 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.
Should I rely solely on my Type 2 Diabetes Risk Score to manage my health?
No. The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Service is a screening and monitoring tool, not a diagnostic service. It identifies risk levels that warrant a conversation with your doctor, who can order appropriate tests — including a blood test for diabetes — and recommend the most suitable interventions for your individual circumstances. NowPatient clinicians can also order appropriate tests, interpret your full clinical picture, and recommend the most suitable interventions for you, if applicable.