Are you worried that you, your child or someone you know may have diabetes? Having some diabetes symptoms doesn’t mean you definitely have the condition, but you should always contact your GP, just to make sure.

Common diabetes symptoms

• Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
• Being really thirsty.
• Feeling more tired than usual.
• Losing weight without trying to.
• Genital itching or thrush.
• Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
• Blurred eyesight
• Increased hunger.

These symptoms can affect anyone - adult or child. To help spot them in children we sometimes call them the 4 Ts - toilet, thirsty, thinner and tireder.

What are the most diabetes common symptoms?

No individual is the same. The symptoms you experience won’t exactly match those of another person. However, the most common diabetes symptoms experienced by many people with diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, feeling tired and losing weight.

You’re showing diabetes symptoms: what next?

If you feel very unwell or your symptoms have come on quickly seek an urgent appointment with your GP or call NHS 111. If you have any diabetes symptoms, it’s important to contact your GP and ask for a blood test for diabetes.

What causes these symptoms?

Diabetes symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in the blood, and isn’t being used as fuel for energy. The body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by flushing the excess glucose out of the body in the urine, making you more thirsty. High levels of glucose being passed in the urine are a perfect breeding ground for the fungal infection which causes thrush. But not everyone gets symptoms. In fact, 6 out of 10 people have no symptoms when they’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

For more information & to get involved with Diabetes Week 2022, please click here.