THOUSANDS of people on Merseyside could be suffering from diabetes without knowing it.
Nearly 100,000 people in the North West may have the dangerous condition, experts warn.
The region has the third highest levels of diabetes sufferers in the country, linked to the fact that Liverpool has the third fattest population in the country.
Figures are expected to rise even further as experts predict 3m nationwide will have diabetes by 2010.
Regional manager for charity Diabetes UK Julie Byron said: "The increase in diabetes is linked to diet.
"I think the awareness of diabetes needs addressing on Mersey-side and people need to be aware of the risk factors.
"Too many people develop life-threatening complications because their diabetes is diagnosed too late. There are many misconceptions about diabetes being a mild condition. Diabetes is serious."
Diabetes occurs when the body cannot process glucose (sugar) and there are two versions: type one is insulin dependent diabetes, and is normally spotted at a young age; type two usually develops later in life and is triggered by factors such as being over-weight.
Type two diabetics can usually control their condition by controlling their diet.
By the time some people are diagnosed 50% of them will have had a stroke, suffered blindness, developed heart disease or kidney failure.
Julie Brake, specialist diabetic nurse at the Royal Liverpool University hospital, said: "People should be aware of the symptoms and if they are concerned visit their GP for a simple test."