Early Signs of Diabetes
This can happen because your body does not create enough insulin, or because of insulin
resistance, where the insulin your body produces does not work properly.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
diagnosed in childhood. It cannot be prevented as it is normally caused by an autoimmune
condition.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes tends to affect people who are overweight or who have a genetic
predisposition to the disease. Research also indicates that certain ethnic groups are more
susceptible, including people from Black African, South Asian and African Caribbean heritage.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 can usually be controlled with medication and lifestyle
changes, including eating a healthy balanced diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs when your body cannot produce enough insulin to meet your body’s
needs during pregnancy, primarily during the second or third trimester.
If left untreated, gestational diabetes can result in your baby growing too large, excess
amniotic fluid, premature birth and pre-eclampsia. In rare cases, it can be responsible for
stillbirth.
Gestational diabetes can usually be controlled with medication, diet and exercise, and often
goes away after the baby is born.
Pre-diabetes
The technical term for pre-diabetes is non-diabetic hyperglycaemia. People are diagnosed as
pre-diabetic when their blood sugar levels are above the normal range but not high enough for
a diabetes diagnosis.
People with pre-diabetes may be eligible for support from the NHS Diabetes Prevention
Programme.
Subtle vs Obvious Signs
Some of the early signs of diabetes include:
Feeling Excessively Thirsty
of this and still feel thirsty, speak to your doctor about the possibility of diabetes.
Urinating More Than Usual
Most people urinate between four and seven times in a 24-hour period. Urinating much more
often may be an early symptom of diabetes.
Feeling Tired or Weak
When your kidneys work harder to flush out excess blood sugar, you may feel weak and fatigued.
Struggling with everyday activities can be one of the early signs of diabetes.
Unexpected Rapid Weight Loss
People with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes may experience rapid and unexplained weight loss as
their bodies compensate for insulin resistance by burning fat and muscle.
Risks of Late Diagnosis
When diabetes is diagnosed and treated early, most people can go on to live normal lives.
Type 2 diabetes can even be reversed with early intervention.
However, late diagnosis can lead to serious complications, including preventable sight loss,
kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. Untreated diabetes can also lead to diabetic foot,
causing pain, cramps, numbness and ulcers.
Some UK Diabetes Statistics
Diabetes UK estimates that 1.3 million people in the UK are living with undiagnosed diabetes.
Around 90% of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK have Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes treatments account for about 10% of the NHS’s annual budget, around £10 billion per
year, with 80% of that spend directed towards treating diabetes-related complications.
GP Referral Guidance
If you have one or more symptoms of diabetes and are in an at-risk group, you should book a
blood test. Depending on the results, your GP may see you for an appointment and refer you to
a diabetes specialist or the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
Children with suspected diabetes should be seen by a multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes
team on the same day they are referred. Adults generally have a longer wait time.
Signs of Diabetes FAQs
What should I do if I have one or more early signs of diabetes?
You should book an appointment at your GP surgery for a blood test. Your medical practitioner
will arrange the most appropriate blood test and explain how to prepare for it.
What other conditions share the same symptoms as diabetes?
Other conditions can mimic diabetes symptoms, including thyroid problems, urinary tract
infections and menopause. A blood test is the quickest way to identify the cause.
Can I do anything to prevent diabetes?
There is nothing you can do to prevent Type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes. However, you
can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced
diet, exercising regularly and stopping smoking.
