Early signs of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not use insulin effectively and blood glucose remains too high. Extra thirst and passing urine often can occur as the kidneys remove excess glucose. Low energy or blurred vision may also appear. High glucose can make skin injuries slower to heal and can make infections, including cellulitis, more likely to need attention.

These symptoms have other possible causes, so they cannot confirm diabetes by themselves. A blood glucose test, arranged by a clinician, is needed for diagnosis. Prediabetes may have no clear symptoms and is identified through testing before diabetes develops.

Arrange an appointment with a general practitioner if these changes persist, recur, or occur together. Write down when they began, how often you urinate, changes in thirst or vision, any weight change, and medicines you take. The clinician may check your blood glucose and discuss further tests, blood pressure, and other health factors.

Do not stop prescribed medicines or make a major diet change without advice. If you have diabetes already, follow your agreed glucose-monitoring and sick-day plan. Foot or skin wounds deserve prompt attention, particularly if redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge develops.

Seek urgent medical help for severe weakness, confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, or inability to keep fluids down. Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, or a sudden loss of vision can signal a stroke and needs emergency help. A painful, rapidly spreading, hot or swollen area of skin with fever also needs prompt assessment.

Ask which blood glucose tests are suitable, whether your symptoms could have another cause, and when results will be available. You can also ask how to prepare for testing, what changes are reasonable while waiting, and which symptoms should prompt faster review.