Warning Signs You May Have Diabetes

Learn the early symptoms for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Has your mouth felt a little dry lately? You might chalk it up to not drinking enough water or sweating more. And that pesky blurry vision? Maybe it’s your glasses. That lingering exhaustion? You’ve been busier lately.

These common annoyances could add up to nothing. But they can also be early signs of diabetes. It’s important to know the signs, because they can be subtle.

“Medical researchers believe nearly 9 million people in the United States — more than 3% — have diabetes and don’t know it,” says Vishaal Gupta, MD, endocrinologist at Geisinger.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes happens when your blood sugar — or glucose — levels are too high. Usually, your body isn’t correctly using insulin, a hormone that regulates sugar. Your cells need glucose to work. Insulin works like a key, unlocking the cell door to let glucose in. The reason your glucose is high depends on the type of diabetes.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. In either case, your blood sugar is typically too high because it can’t get into the cell.

Type 1 diabetes

You develop Type 1 diabetes when your pancreas can’t make enough insulin. For reasons we still don’t understand, your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make this needed hormone. Type 1 diabetes typically begins in childhood, but it can start at any age. You might develop the condition very quickly, over days or weeks. Symptoms can start suddenly, and they are truly an emergency, requiring urgent care.

Type 2 diabetes

When you have Type 2 diabetes, your cells don’t respond to insulin, like a rusty lock that won’t take a key easily and gets rustier over time. Eventually if you have Type 2 diabetes, your body makes less or no insulin.

Most people with diabetes — more than 90% — have Type 2 diabetes. This more common form usually appears in adulthood, although increasingly children and teens have Type 2 diabetes. It tends to develop slowly, over months or years. Changes can be so gradual, they’re often hard to spot.

Diabetes symptoms

"The telltale sign you have diabetes is a higher-than-normal level of glucose in your blood," explains Dr. Gupta.

But even before you know your blood sugar is elevated, you may have other symptoms.

The signs of diabetes are similar for both types. They can come on quickly — especially Type 1 — or be so mild that you don’t notice them. That’s why it’s smart to learn the early symptoms of diabetes.

Feeling hungrier and more tired than usual

When you eat, your digestive system gets to work digesting that food. As you digest, your digestive system converts food into glucose, which your body uses for energy. But if you have diabetes, your body can’t get enough glucose into your cells. This can leave you feeling ravenous and needing a nap, even if you just ate.

"If your body isn't making enough insulin (or any at all) you’ll have less energy and your appetite may change,” Dr. Gupta notes.

Running to the bathroom constantly and feeling thirsty

When you have diabetes, your body may not reabsorb the glucose that passes through your kidneys.

“To flush the excess glucose, your body will make more urine,” says Dr. Gupta. “This forces your kidneys to work harder and leads to those frequent restroom visits.”

But your body is still trying to get rid of the excess glucose, so it makes you thirsty to have the liquid it needs to make urine. You drink lots of water, which leads to — you guessed it — more trips to the bathroom.

Blurry vision

It’s easy to blame changing vision on getting older, but it could also be a sign of diabetes. High blood sugar can cause blurry vision because blood vessels in the eye can leak. Your lenses may swell, or you might form cataracts.

When your blood sugar rises, it can also damage your retina at the back of your eye. Blood vessels around the retina can leak or new abnormal blood vessels can grow. The macula, also at the back of eye, can also swell because of leaking blood vessels.

“Fortunately, there are effective treatments to stop and prevent further diabetic eye damage when we catch it early, so it’s important to get your vision checked when it changes,” says Dr. Gupta.

Dry mouth and itchy skin

Since your body is using fluids to produce more urine than usual, there's less moisture for other things — like your mouth and skin.

"You're at risk of getting dehydrated, and your mouth and skin will most likely feel dry," remarks Dr. Gupta.

Serious diabetes symptoms

Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms:

Severe stomach pain
Nausea
Weakness
Excessive thirst
Sweet breath that smells like nail polish remover
Deep, rapid breathing
Wounds that won’t heal or get worse

These can be signs of more serious diabetes complications. Seek urgent medical care.

Early intervention makes a difference

Your symptoms might be mild. And you might not notice them at first. But mild symptoms can progress quickly, so listening to your body is key.

"Identifying diabetes early is key to avoiding nerve damage, heart issues and other complications that untreated diabetes can lead to," Dr. Gupta says.

So, if you notice any of these signs, give your doctor a call. They can help you get tested. And if you do have diabetes, your provider will work with you to build a treatment plan that helps you feel your best.