Millions of people worldwide suffer from diabetes, a serious medical condition. Early symptom recognition can help prevent long-term issues through prompt diagnosis and treatment. It is crucial that you get medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes
1. Polyuria, meaning frequent urination
Increased bathroom visits, particularly at night, could be a sign of elevated blood sugar levels. Urination increases as a result of your kidneys having to work harder to filter out extra glucose from your blood.
2. Polydipsia, meaning excessive thirst
Dehydration because of frequent urination might leave you feeling thirsty all the time. If you’re feeling thirsty even after drinking enough water, it might be time to get your blood sugar levels checked out.
3. Polyphagia, meaning increased appetite
People with diabetes frequently have persistent hunger even when they eat regularly. This happens when the body finds it difficult to use glucose effectively for energy, and in turn, this causes the brain’s hunger signals to increase
4. Sudden Weight-Loss
Your body might be using fat for energy rather than glucose if you experience unexpected weight loss without making any dietary or exercise changes. This is a typical early sign of diabetes type 1.
5. Fatigue and Low Energy
Do you feel tired all the time even after a good night’s rest? This might mean that your cells aren’t getting enough glucose to sustain them.
6. Blurry Vision
Your eyes’ fluid levels might be affected by high blood sugar, which can lead to swelling and blurred vision. This may worsen more serious eye conditions including diabetic retinopathy if left unchecked
7. Wounds That Heal Slowly
Because of poor circulation and elevated blood sugar, minor scrapes and bruises can take longer to heal, which increases the risk of infection.
8. Hand and foot tingling or numbness (neuropathy)
Long-term elevated blood sugar levels may harm nerves, resulting in pain, tingling, or numbness, especially in the hands and feet. This is known as Diabetic Neuropathy
9. Frequent Infections
Chronic infections may indicate diabetes. Examples of these diseases are skin infections, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Bacteria and fungi thrive in an environment created by high blood sugar levels.
10. Acanthosis Nigricans, meaning dark skin patches
Dark, velvety patches of skin, especially around the neck, armpits, or groin, may indicate insulin resistance—an early warning sign of type 2 diabetes.
When to See a Doctor
It is very important to get a medical examination for proper testing if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms. Serious side effects such as kidney damage, neurological issues, and heart disease can be avoided with early detection.
Essential Blood Tests for Diabetes Diagnosis and Monitoring
Blood tests are crucial for diagnosing and managing diabetes. Your doctor may recommend the following tests:
1. HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin Test)
- Measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
- A result between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes, while 6.5% or higher confirms diabetes.
- Useful for monitoring long-term blood sugar control.
2. Fasting Insulin Test
- Evaluate insulin levels after fasting for 8–12 hours.
- High fasting insulin levels may indicate insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
- Helps differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
3. Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- A comprehensive blood test that assesses:
- Glucose levels – Identifies high or low blood sugar.
- Kidney function – Measures creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) to evaluate kidney health.
- Liver function – Includes ALT, AST, and ALP to assess liver health.
- Electrolyte balance – Examines sodium, potassium, and calcium levels.
- Protein levels – Evaluate albumin and total protein for overall health.
A CMP can detect diabetes-related complications, such as kidney and liver problems, that develop over time.
Take Control of Your Health
Maintaining your general well-being can be greatly impacted by the early identification of diabetic symptoms. Do not delay; make an appointment with Dr. Eric Rowland immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
📅 Make an appointment at drericrowland.com right now.