Read our Privacy noticeA common but often undiagnosed genetic deficiency could be putting thousands of black and South Asian men in the UK at risk of serious type 2 diabetes complications by delaying diagnosis of the condition, scientists have warned. Researchers estimate that around one in seven black men and one in 63 South Asian men have a generic condition known as G6PD deficiency, compared with fewer than one in 100,000 white men. According to researchers, G6PD deficiency can make HbA1c appear artificially low, underestimating true blood sugar levels. The team also found that men with G6PD deficiency have a 37% higher risk of developed serious complications associated with type 2 diabetes, including eye, kidney and nerve damage. According to Diabetes UK, black and South Asian people in the UK are twice as likely to be living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes than white people and face worse health outcomes once diagnosed.