Early Signs of Type 2 Diabetes You Shouldn't Ignore

Classic symptoms

When blood sugar stays high, the kidneys try to remove the excess through urine, pulling water with it. This explains several of the most common symptoms.

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Increased thirst and dry mouth
• Tiredness or low energy
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss (more common at higher sugar levels)

Subtler clues

Some signs are easy to dismiss:

• Cuts and sores that heal slowly
• Frequent infections, such as urinary, gum or skin infections
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Dark, velvety patches of skin in body folds (acanthosis nigricans), linked to insulin resistance

Many people have no symptoms

A large number of people with type 2 diabetes feel completely fine. That is why routine screening matters, especially if you are over 35, have a family history, are physically inactive, or have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

What to do

If any of these signs sound familiar, ask your doctor for an A1C or fasting glucose test. It is a simple blood test. If you ever have vomiting, confusion, rapid breathing or a fruity smell on the breath alongside high thirst and urination, seek urgent medical care.

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