My Diabetes My Way: October 2025 update
Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for October 2025.
National Cholesterol Month
October is National Cholesterol Month. Led by HEART UK, this campaign encourages everyone to be aware of their cholesterol level and to take action if required to meet target levels. We discussed targets for cholesterol in September’s newsletter and everyone should be having their cholesterol checked as part of their annual care for their healthcare team.
The latest Scottish Diabetes Survey reported that only 75% of people with Type 1 diabetes and 77% of Type 2 have had their cholesterol checked in the previous 12 months. As cholesterol is extremely important in minimising cardiovascular risk, it should be an essential annual check for all people with diabetes. You may need to be proactive with your healthcare team to ensure that this blood test is taken. We have more information about cholesterol and diabetes at the following links:
Cholesterol, Reducing Your Risk of Complications: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/cholesterol-reducing-your-risk-of-complications/
Diabetes and Cholesterol: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/diabetes-and-cholesterol/
Mental Health Awareness
October 10th was World Mental Health Day. Good mental health is essential to achieve a good quality of life and is an important factor in maintaining good blood sugar control. If you are feeling low and depressed, it can be difficult to be motivated to keep your blood sugar under control. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can have a significant impact on your blood sugar. If you are experiencing low mental wellbeing, please contact your healthcare team so that you can receive treatment. There is more information available at the links below:
Diabetes and Your Emotions: You Are Not Alone: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/diabetes-and-your-emotions-youre-not-alone/
Diabetes and Emotional Wellbeing: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/files/diabetes-and-emotional-well-being/
My Diabetes My Way contains three questionnaires that allow you to assess mental health, wellbeing and anxiety. The aim of these questionnaires is to allow you to self-assess areas where you may benefit from talking to your healthcare team. When you complete these assessments, we will provide you with a summary that explains your result, further guidance on what you can do next, and links to information that may help you.
When you log in to access you records on My Diabetes My Way, select "My Home Data" and you will see the three assessments:
- Mental Health Test: Indicates if you are suffering from, or are at risk of depression
- Wellbeing Test: Assesses your general wellbeing and how you are feeling
- Anxiety Test: Indicates if you may be suffering from anxiety
You can use these questionnaires to take to your appointments and help guide the discussion with your healthcare team.
Menopause Awareness
October 18th was World Menopause Awareness Day. Changing hormone levels during the menopause can have significant effects on blood sugar with many people becoming much more insulin resistant. As people become more resistant to their own insulin, then they need much more intensive treatment to control blood sugar. This can make it much more difficult to treat as hormones can fluctuate daily. People with diabetes and healthcare professionals should be mindful of this physiological change if diabetes suddenly becomes less well controlled in women of the appropriate age. Medications such as HRT may be helpful but eligibility for these treatments needs to be discussed with your local healthcare team.
Living with Type 1 Diabetes and Menopause: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/living-with-type-1-diabetes-and-menopause/
Diabetes and Menopause: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/files/diabetes-and-menopause/
Infection Prevention
The week beginning 19th October was Infection Prevention Control Week. This week raises awareness of steps you can take to prevent infections spreading. Steps can be simply regular handwashing, through to prompt wound cleaning and first aid, to vaccination to proactively prevent infections spreading. People with diabetes should be aware of any breaks in the skin which could get infected, especially in the feet. Reduced blood circulation and sensation in the feet can mean that any blisters or ulcers can be very slow to heal and often need specialist treatment by a podiatrist. It is really important to check your feet visibly each day and take precautions to avoid wounds on them. Daily moisturising is an excellent way of checking the skin integrity. We have lots of good advice on caring for your feet at the following links:
How Diabetes Can Affect My Feet: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/how-can-diabetes-affect-my-feet/
Diabetes Footcare: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/diabetes-footcare/
Does My Wound Need Urgent Attention?: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/does-my-foot-wound-need-urgent-attention/
Winter Vaccinations
It’s now time to book your flu vaccination. Some people may also be eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination but the Scottish Government has changed the criteria to receive this, so you will need to check if you should be receiving this. Some people may also be eligible for the Pneumonia vaccine, but again that is given on an individual basis. Vaccination is an important part of keeping yourself healthy throughout winter. The following information shows how to book your flu vaccination online in NHS Scotland:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/winter-vaccines
Mobile App Data Issues
We are aware that some users of the My Diabetes My Way mobile App are experiencing issues with their diabetes records and data updating. This is mainly affecting users of our Android app. We have investigated and found the cause of the issue and are expecting to have an update to the App available before the end of October, so please update your app when this is available. If you are having problems, please log-in to the website directly and you will be able to review your full diabetes information.
Facebook, X and Bluesky
Please remember, you can keep up-to-date with the latest news and useful information on the My Diabetes My Way Facebook, X and Bluesky pages.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mydiabetesmyway
X (formerly Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/mydiabetesmyway
Bluesky: @mydiabetesmyway.bsky.social
Help and Support
If you have not yet managed to gain access to your diabetes records on My Diabetes My Way, or would like an update on the status of your registration, please let us know. You can contact us regarding any problems or request further help and support by emailing: mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot
Thank you for your continued support.