Tom Hanks diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes

Tom Hanks has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Picture: Getty

The 57-year-old star announced his diagnosis – which is the result of the body not producing enough insulin to function properly – in an interview with popular US chat show host David Letterman.

The star admitted he has been experiencing symptoms of the condition for 20 years but only recently received the diagnosis from his doctor.

The actor said: “I went to the doctors and they said, ‘You know those high blood sugar numbers you’ve been living with since you were 36, well you’ve graduated, you’ve got type 2 diabetes, young man’.”

He then joked: “It’s controllable. Something’s going to kill us all, Dave.”

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the insulin produced becomes less effective – normally as a result of being overweight and inactive. The body needs more and more insulin to try to keep blood sugar within a normal range. Although the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes is weight, genes can also have an important role.

The usual treatment for type 2 diabetes is diet and lifestyle changes.

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• Interview: Tom Hanks, actor