What are the signs of diabetes?
Peeing more, thirst, tiredness and weight loss. The NHS lists these four first. But a lot of people with type 2 diabetes notice nothing at all. A blood test finds what symptoms miss.
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What are the signs of sugar diabetes?
Sugar diabetes is the everyday name for diabetes. It means your blood glucose (sugar) is too high.
The NHS lists four common signs: feeling thirsty all the time, peeing more than usual, feeling very tired and losing weight without trying. An easy way to remember them is the 4 Ts: toilet, thirsty, tired, thinner.
| Sign | What you might notice |
|---|---|
| Toilet | Peeing more than usual, especially at night. Children may wet the bed or have heavier nappies. |
| Thirsty | Feeling thirsty all the time and drinking more. |
| Tired | Feeling very tired. |
| Thinner | Losing weight without trying, or looking thinner. |
| Itching or thrush | Itching around the penis or vagina, or thrush (a yeast infection) that keeps coming back. |
| Slow healing | Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal. |
| Eyes | Blurred vision. |
| Hunger and mood | Feeling hungrier than usual. Feeling more irritable. |
Sources: NHS; NHS: type 2 symptoms; NHS: type 1 symptoms; Diabetes UK
Why these signs? Your kidneys work harder to get rid of the extra sugar, so you pee more and get thirsty.
If sugar can’t get into your cells, they lack energy, so you feel tired. Your body may burn fat instead, so you lose weight.
One sign on its own doesn’t mean you have diabetes. But Diabetes UK says to always contact your GP to make sure.
Spot any of these in you or your child? The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or use NHS 111.
Can you have diabetes with no symptoms?
Yes. Diabetes UK says a lot of people don’t get any signs of type 2 diabetes, or don’t notice them. If signs do come, they may develop gradually.
Signs of high sugar may only start when it gets very high, like a warning light that comes on late. No light doesn’t prove all is well.
So the way to know is a blood test.
Finding it early matters. The longer type 2 goes unfound, the greater the risk of long-term problems, such as eye disease.
The NHS says you may be more at risk of type 2 if:
- you’re white and over 40, or over 25 and from a South Asian, Chinese, Black African or Black Caribbean background
- a parent, brother or sister has it
- you’re overweight and not very active
- you have a condition that raises your risk, such as high blood pressure
Any of these fit? See a GP, even with no signs.
Are type 1 and type 2 signs different?
The signs are much the same. The big difference is speed. Type 1 signs come on quickly, over a few days or weeks.
| Type 1 | Type 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| How fast | Quickly, over a few days or weeks. | Usually slowly. Many people notice nothing. |
| Who | Usually children and young adults, but any age. | More common in older people. |
| Other signs | Blurred vision, slow healing, frequent infections such as thrush or nappy rash. Breath that smells sweet or fruity, like pear drops. | Blurred vision, slow healing, itching around the penis or vagina, or thrush that keeps coming back. |
| How common | Around 8% of people diagnosed. | Around 90% of people diagnosed. |
Sources: NHS: type 1 symptoms; NHS: type 2 symptoms; Diabetes UK
Left untreated, type 1 can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). That’s when harmful substances called ketones build up in the blood. It can happen before anyone knows it’s diabetes, particularly in children.
Think you or your child has type 1? Ask for an urgent GP appointment or use NHS 111. The 999 signs are in the last section.
How do you get checked for diabetes?
With a blood test that checks how high your blood sugar is. The results usually take a few days.
What usually happens when you see your GP
- 1
Blood test
Often HbA1c, your average sugar over 2 or 3 months.
- 2
Type 1 signs?
A finger-prick test, maybe a pee test, then a hospital specialist, usually the same day.
- 3
No signs, 48 or over?
The lab may repeat HbA1c within 2 weeks to confirm.
- 4
Diagnosed
A diabetes care team helps with what happens next.
Sources: NHS: type 2; NHS: type 1; Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS
- Below 42 mmol/molGenerally low risk. Yearly test if at high risk.
- 42 to just under 48 mmol/molRaised. Lifestyle advice and a yearly test.
- 48 mmol/mol or aboveCan diagnose diabetes in most cases.
Sources: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS; NHS
On 42 to 47? You’re told to report any signs of diabetes and have HbA1c checked at least once a year. Sugar above normal but not high enough for diabetes is what the NHS calls pre-diabetes.
HbA1c isn’t used alone if you have signs of type 1, signs for under 2 months, are under 16 with signs, or are pregnant. A glucose test may be used as well.
More on the HbA1c test, normal HbA1c levels and pre-diabetes.
What to do if you spot the signs
What to do if you spot the signs
- Ask for an urgent GP appointment or use NHS 111 if you or your child has any signs.
- Write down each sign and when it started.
- Ask your GP for a blood test for diabetes.
- Seeing the GP about your child? Take a sample of their pee with you.
- No signs? Try the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool. If it says high or very high risk, ask your GP for a blood test.
- Aged 40 to 74 with no existing health condition? Ask your GP surgery or a pharmacy for a free NHS Health Check.
Sources: NHS; NHS: type 1 symptoms; NHS: type 2 symptoms; Diabetes UK
Told your sugar is raised? Food is a good place to start. See the type 2 diabetes food list and how to lower blood sugar naturally.
When to speak to a GP
Book an appointment if:
- You or your child has any signs of diabetes. The NHS says to ask for an urgent appointment or use NHS 111. Call 111 for a child under 5.
- You’re at higher risk of type 2, even with no signs at all.
- Your HbA1c was 42 to 47 and new signs start.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child have been peeing more and feeling very thirsty and tired, and also:
- the signs are getting worse quickly
- you have stomach pain or diarrhoea, or you feel or are being sick
- you feel sleepy or confused
- you’re breathing faster and more deeply than usual
These could be signs of DKA, which can be life threatening if not treated quickly. Don’t drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you, or call 999 for an ambulance.