What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Which symptoms can diabetes cause?

Diabetes can cause increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, blurred vision and unexplained weight loss. Some people have few or no noticeable symptoms.^[1] The presence or absence of symptoms cannot confirm a diagnosis on its own.

Symptoms can have more than one cause. Describe what you have noticed to a healthcare professional rather than using an online list to decide what it means. If you already have diabetes, use the symptom and blood sugar action plan agreed with your care team.

Do symptoms appear in the same way for everyone?

Symptoms can develop differently depending on the type of diabetes and the individual. Type 1 symptoms may develop quickly, while type 2 diabetes can remain unnoticed for a long time.^[1] A person does not need to match every item on a symptom list to need medical advice.

Explain when a change began, whether it is continuing and what effect it has on your day. You can also mention recent illness, medicine changes or other health concerns. Those details help a clinician understand the situation without assuming the cause.

Can symptoms tell me whether I have diabetes?

Symptoms alone cannot tell you whether you have diabetes. A clinician uses blood tests and your circumstances to make a diagnosis.^[2] Read the guide to diabetes diagnosis for questions about the testing process.

If you have test results already, ask the clinician who arranged them what they mean and what happens next. A home reading or an online symptom description should not replace that conversation.

What should I do about a new or changing symptom?

Seek medical advice about a new or changing symptom, and follow any urgent instructions in your existing care plan. Severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fainting or confusion need urgent medical attention.^[1]

For a planned conversation, write down the change, its timing and what made you seek advice. If your question is about results rather than the first signs of diabetes, the guide to changing blood sugar readings focuses on that different situation.

For background on the condition, read what is diabetes. If a symptom follows a treatment change, tell your care team and use the questions about starting a diabetes medication to prepare a clear account. This page cannot determine whether a medicine caused a symptom.

Where can I find more information about symptoms?

The guide to diabetes diagnosis explains why symptoms need clinical assessment and blood testing. Compare diabetes resources for background reading and support preparing questions. General information cannot determine the cause of a new symptom.