At least 55,000 people face new tests in diabetes error

A BBC research means that the errors of the machines used to diagnose diabetes will need at least 55,000 people in the UK will need more blood tests.

Some patients were incorrectly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and even prescribed the medication they did not need – and more people may be affected, NHS England says.

NHSE confirmed that it uses machines made by Trinity Biotech and producing false test results.

Trinity Biotech says he works closely with the British Health Regulator and contacted all hospitals using machines.

BBC first in September 2024 11,000 patients After publishing the wrong diabetes results of a machine in Luton and Dunstable Hospital, it was re -tested.

NHS Britain now says that the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes increased by 10,000 in 2024 and increased by 4% more than expected.

The procedure known as Hemoglobin A1C test measures the average blood sugar levels used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and monitor the condition.

According to the Pharmaceutical and Health Regulator (MHRA), problems related to these machines were first reported in April 2024.

BBC, NHS asked England to verify which confidence was affected.

36 -year -old Vicky Davies of Kingston Upon Hull was first told to have Type 2 diabetes in October 2024.

First, it was recommended to try to lose weight, to be sent for eye scanning and then prescribed at a maximum dose of four tablets per day.

In April 2025, he performed more blood tests as part of his three -month examination, and he was told that there was no diabetic, which was assumed that he was in Metformin.

Nevertheless, the blood results may not be true later in that month and it was suggested to leave the drug immediately.

He took Metformin for four months and experienced stomach problems and dizziness and still feels stressful.

“It had a great impact on my life. I’ve been stressful since diagnosis and I had to quit to participate in the appointments.

“I complained about my GP, but I didn’t really get an apology. I’m very angry.”

In a letter, Vicky’s GP application said that they are not aware of the problems in the laboratories and added that they are working best on their abilities with existing medical information.

One in September 2024 message Bedfordshire said that 11,000 patients should be re -tested on the Trust website.

As a result of the tests analyzed in the laboratory of the hospital, some warned that some could be misdiagnosed by type 2 diabetes.

Trust apologized for “any emotional distress and discomfort”.

In July 2025 Pharmaceutical and Health Products Regulatory Agency Trinity said he received reports explaining a positive prejudice given by Biotech machines.

This caused some patients to be diagnosed as wrong diabetic or diabetic.

NHS Trusts already remembers patients for re -tests, and NHS England says that anyone in need of a test will be contacted by GP or local hospitals.

As a result of this problem, he added that the risk is low for people who may have been misdiagnosed and that they would be given lifestyle advice and that they would offer support programs first.

Metformin, which may be accidentally prescribed for some of these patients, works by reducing blood sugar levels by improving the way the body processes insulin.

If you experience these symptoms while taking the diabetes medication:

• hypoglycemia (tremor/tremor, sweating, confusion, loss of consciousness)
• and hyperglycemia (excessive thirst, blurred vision, recurrent infections)

Recommendation is to get medical assistance immediately.

NHS UK Diabetes National Clinical Director Dr Clare Hambling said: “Potentially impossible in any long -term situation such as Type 2 Diabetes is understandable, but the risk of damaging patients is low.”

NHS, UK says that less than 10% of its laboratories are affected and all have changed machines or deals with calibration problems.

“The company, using the system, worked closely with MHRA to solve the problems experienced by some UK laboratories,” Trinity Biotech said in response to an investigation from the BBC.

The statement said that the company “has issued three fields of security notifications to all UK users in 2024 and informed about a potential positive prejudice problem,” he said.

These notifications contained “repeating the details of the actions to be done to ensure the optimum operation of the system by emphasizing the importance of the system according to the manufacturer’s instructions”.