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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how high your blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not experience symptoms initially. In type 1 diabetes, however, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough insulin)
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing sores
  • Mild high blood pressure
  • Frequent infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal or bladder infections

Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, can develop at any age and is often preventable.

When to see a doctor

  • If you suspect you or your child may have diabetes. If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, contact your doctor. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.
  • If you've already been diagnosed with diabetes. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you'll initially need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.
Causes Definition
References
  1. Masharani U. Diabetes mellitus & hypoglycemia. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=15524. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  2. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(suppl):1.
  3. Diabetes overview. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/DiabetesOverview.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  4. Diabetes mellitus (DM). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch158/ch158b.html#sec12-ch158-ch158b-1105. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  5. Knip M, et al. Dietary intervention in infancy and later signs of beta-cell autoimmunity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363:1900.
  6. Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  7. Diabetes and pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp051.cfm?printerFriendly=yes. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  8. Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/diabetes_mellitus__type_2/management_of_type_2_diabetes_mellitus__9.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  9. Burrows NR, et al. Incidence of treatment for end-stage renal disease among individuals with diabetes in the U.S. continues to decline. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:73.
  10. Zhang X, et al. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the United States, 2005-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2010;304:649.
  11. Matsuzaki T, et al. Insulin resistance is associated with the pathology of Alzheimer disease. Neurology. 2010;75:764.
  12. Giovanucci E, et al. Diabetes and cancer: A consensus report. CA: A Journal for Cancer Clinicians. 2010;60:1.
  13. Gestational diabetes. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/gestational_diabetes.cfm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  14. Stoner GD. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. American Family Physician. 2005;71:1723.
  15. Church TS, et al. Effects of aerobic and resistance training on hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2010;304:2253.
  16. McCulloch DK. Overview of medical care in adults with diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
  17. Natural Medicines in the Clinical Management of Diabetes. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 2, 2010.
  18. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2011. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(suppl):1.
  19. Health care guideline: Routine prenatal Care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2010. http://www.icsi.org/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__full_version__2.htm. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  20. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin. Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists. Number 30, September 2001 (replaces Technical Bulletin Number 200, December 1994). Gestational diabetes. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2001;98:525.
  21. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Use of hepatitis B vaccine for adults with diabetes mellitus: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2011:60;1709.
DS01121 Jan. 25, 2012

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