The research team at the Peninsula Medical School, UK, has developed a simple home urine test to determine if patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are producing their own insulin.
The urine test measures if patients are still making their own insulin even if they are taking insulin injections.
Additionally, the test can be used to differentiate Type 1 diabetes from Type 2 diabetes and rare genetic forms of diabetes.
The studies for developing the test involved over 300 patients, and key studies were funded by Diabetes UK and the National Institute of Health Research.
Study researcher Rachel Besser said that the urine test offers a practical alternative to blood testing.
"As the urine test can be done in the patients own home we hope that it will be taken up more readily, and more patients can be correctly diagnosed and be offered the correct treatment, " Besser said.