My Diabetes My Way: September 2026 update


Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way newsletter for September 2026.


Winter Vaccinations
As the days shorten, your thoughts may turn to protecting yourself against winter illnesses by arranging your annual vaccinations. This year there are several vaccinations that NHS Scotland recommends that you should receive as a person with any type of diabetes.

In summary, everyone with diabetes should have the flu (influenza) vaccination. People with diabetes aged 65 years or over should also receive the RSV vaccine and those aged 75 years or over should also have the COVID-19 vaccine. The shingles vaccine, which is administered in 2 doses six months apart, is also available to anyone 65 years and over. Some people may be offered a single dose of the Pneumococcal vaccine even if they have had this vaccine in the past. This is due to a new updated vaccine.

More information about vaccines can be found on the NHS Inform website:


The winter vaccination programme rolls out in each Health Board from September onwards so please watch out for your appointment in the post.


Urology Awareness Month
September is Urology Awareness Month and the theme this year is collaboration between researchers and patients to advance treatments for these conditions. The family of urological disease includes urology cancers, including – bladder, kidney, prostate, penile and testicular cancers and the benign conditions including incontinence, urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction and kidney stones. Erectile dysfunction can be a complication of diabetes but there are various treatments readily available via your healthcare team.

We have more information at the following link:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-complications/sexual-dysfunction/


Know Your Numbers
September 7-13 was Know Your Numbers Week. This week was initially developed for people to know what their target blood pressure was and to act to achieve a target. Everyone should discuss their individual target measurements with their healthcare team as there are lots of factors which can affect them. These include existing cardiovascular or kidney problems. The general targets for people with diabetes are as follows:

  • HbA1c of 53 mmol/mol: this is a measure of long-term blood sugar control, or an average over the previous 12 weeks
  • Blood sugar above 4 mmol/l: this is the lowest safe level for your blood sugar. Less than 4 mmol/l is defined as hypoglycaemia, or low glucose
  • Time in range above 70%: this is a measure of the proportion of the day that your blood sugar stays within the range 3.9-10.0 mmol/l. This is most relevant for people who use continuous glucose monitors
  • Blood pressure of 140/90: this is the standard widely recommended for most people. 130/80 may be advised for people with heart or kidney problems
  • Total cholesterol below 4 mmol/l – this is the range which minimises heart problems
  • HDL cholesterol above 1.0mmol/l – this is the range which minimises heart problems
  • Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) above 60mls/min: this is a measure of your kidney function and estimates the rate blood is filtered through your kidneys. This number does decline naturally with age.



World Sepsis Day
World Sepsis Day was on 13th September. Sepsis can be life threatening so it is important that everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms so that medical intervention can be sought quickly. Signs of sepsis are:

  • Slurred speech or confusion
  • Extreme shivering or muscle pain / fever
  • Passing no urine all day
  • Severe breathlessness
  • It feels like you are going to die
  • Skin mottled and discoloured


If you notice these signs, it is essential that medical help is sought immediately as the person will need intravenous antibiotics and supportive care to avoid organ failure. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing sepsis than the general population and the symptoms can appear quickly as the result of an infection somewhere in the body.


One Million Step Challenge
For those doing the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge, you have until the end of September 30th to reach your target. If you have been tracking your steps using a Fitbit, you can upload the data to your personal record in My Diabetes My Way. Recent research has shown that going for a walk for 30 minutes after meals can have a significant effect on lowering your blood sugar so even if you are not doing the million steps challenge it is always worth getting outside for a walk as often as you can.


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

Share this page