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Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Since type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to effectively move glucose out of the bloodstream, diabetes testing is done by measuring the amount of glucose present in the blood.⁴ The primary test for this is a simple dipstick test that detects whether there’s glucose present in your urine. Urine does not normally contain glucose, so if it’s found to be present it indicates that blood glucose levels are high enough that glucose has “spilt” through the kidneys into the urine. ¹³ Glucose can, however, appear in the urine for other reasons, so a dipstick diabetes test should be followed up with a blood test to confirm or rule out the disease. ¹³

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Excessive urination: This results from the body attempting to rid itself of excess glucose in the bloodstream.
• Excessive thirst: This happens as the body attempts to replace fluids lost as a result of excessive urination. It can also happen because the body detects high blood sugar levels.
• Constant hunger: Glucose is unable to enter the cells to be converted into energy, and so the body tries to increase the food intake.
• Unexplained weight loss: Since the body is unable to use glucose for energy, it breaks down fat and protein.
• Lethargy, drowsiness, or exhaustion: This is due to cells not receiving the glucose which it would convert into energy.

Although people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes display similar symptoms to those listed above, symptoms in type 2 diabetics may be less obvious.¹¹ While type 1 symptoms of diabetes can develop quickly over a period of days or weeks, type 2 diabetes symptoms usually develop gradually, or in some cases may not be present at all. This means that in many instances a diagnosis of diabetes is only made many years after its actual onset. ¹¹ People with type 2 diabetes may also find that cuts and sores take longer to heal. ⁴

If you’re taking diabetes medication tablets or your insulin dosage is too high, too much glucose is moved out of the bloodstream. This results in low blood sugar levels which can lead to a condition known as hypoglycaemia. The main symptoms are:

• Faintness or shaking
• Sweating
• Tingling lips
• Hunger
• Nausea
• Irritability

If hypoglycaemia is not controlled, it can lead to confusion, slurred speech, and eventually unconsciousness.

If blood sugar levels become too high through not enough diabetes medication tablets or insulin, you may develop hyperglycaemia. The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of diabetes, but may be more severe and develop more suddenly. The main symptoms of hyperglycaemia include:

• Extreme thirst
• A dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness
• Frequent urination

If left untreated, hyperglycaemia can eventually lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, where the body begins to break down fat and protein instead of glucose for energy. This leads to a build up of acids in the body, which if left untreated can cause unconsciousness and eventually death.

Disease Information

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• High Blood Pressure
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• Stroke