Can You Tell If You Have Diabetes?

Don't ignore these symptoms.
They may mean you have diabetes.

Many people are surprised to find out they have type 2 diabetes because they don’t notice any symptoms. That’s because many of the early symptoms of the disease develop gradually and don’t jump out as being a sign that something is wrong. Or they’re so mild that they go unnoticed. If you do have noticeable symptoms, it often means your blood sugar levels are out of control and you may have started to develop complications from the disease.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes:

• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Feeling hungry, even though you are eating
• Fatigue
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Vision changes (blurry vision)
• Slow healing of cuts or bruises

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, don’t ignore it. Even if you don’t feel sick, it’s best to tell your doctor about your symptoms so you can determine whether to be tested for the disease. This is especially important if you have diabetes risk factors such as being overweight, having heart disease or having a family history of diabetes. If you had pregnancy-related diabetes, it’s also important to pay attention to early warning signs, since gestational diabetes puts you at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

There are several different blood tests your doctor can order that can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes (meaning your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes). Getting tested is important so you can either begin treatment or can take steps to avoid developing diabetes in the future.

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