Symptoms

The symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be nearly the same. The most significant difference is that the symptoms of type 1 tend to come on quickly and more dramatically. Women who have type 2 diabetes may not notice the symptoms because they develop more slowly or not at all.

The following symptoms can be signs of diabetes, though only proper testing can tell for sure. See your physician if you experience any of them regularly:

  • increased frequency and volume of urination. You may notice that you can no longer sleep through the night without getting up to use the bathroom.
  • unquenchable thirst
  • dehydration, indicated by dry lips and sunken eyes
  • extreme hunger. Some people will even lose weight despite eating more.
  • fatigue
  • blurry eyesight
  • headaches
  • cuts and sores that heal slowly
  • numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • chronic yeast infections or new or frequent urinary tract infection

Many of these symptoms result from the abnormally glucose in the blood and urine that is the hallmark of diabetes.

Sometimes type 1 diabetes is diagnosed in a crisis situation called "ketoacidosis." When insulin levels drop very low, fat stores start dissolving, which is what happens when someone is starving. This process produces waste products called ketones, which leave the body in a highly acidic and dangerously out-of-balance state. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains; labored or rapid breathing; and fruity-smelling breath. If you have these symptoms, call your health care provider immediately.

Diagnosing Diabetes

The following factors must be present for a diagnosis of diabetes:

Any combination of these symptoms:
excessive thirst or hunger, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, weight loss, or frequent infections with a random blood glucose greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl. Certain symptoms such as headaches, confusion, irritability, and depression may occur more frequently in those with hyperglycemia.
Laboratory tests (require confirmation)
  • Fasting blood glucose greater than or equal to 126
  • A two-hour blood glucose greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl on an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Source: Adapted from American Diabetes Association (Position Statement). Standards Patients with Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 29 (Supplement 1) (2006): S5.

Disclaimer: This book and web site are meant to educate, but should not be used as a substitute for personal medical advice. Readers should consult their physicians for specific information concerning their individual medical conditions. The authors have done their best to ensure that the information presented here is accurate up to the time of publication. However, as research and development are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some of the data presented here.

Copyright © 2008 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.