Diabetes symptoms can come on quickly or slowly, depending on the type. Some people don’t notice any symptoms at all until serious damage has already occurred.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Common signs include:
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Frequent urination
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Feeling very thirsty
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Feeling very hungry, even after eating
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Unexplained weight loss
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Fatigue or low energy
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Blurry vision
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Slow-healing cuts or infections
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Tingling, pain, or numbness in hands or feet (more common in type 2)
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms often appear suddenly and may become serious fast, which is why early diagnosis is so important. In type 2, symptoms may be mild or develop over years.
How Diabetes Is Diagnosed
To diagnose diabetes, doctors use blood tests that measure your blood sugar levels. The most common tests include:
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Fasting blood sugar test, which measures your blood sugar after you haven’t eaten for at least eight hours
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A1C test, which shows your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months
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Oral glucose tolerance test, where your blood sugar is checked before and after drinking a sweet liquid
Your doctor may also check your urine and do other tests to rule out complications. If the results show high blood sugar levels, your doctor will confirm the diagnosis and talk to you about your next steps.
Prediabetes is usually diagnosed when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Catching it early gives you a chance to make lifestyle changes that can prevent it from turning into type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, diabetes is treatable. How? You’ll read it on the next page!
