Diabetes signs and symptoms

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.

Diabetes symptoms

The most common symptoms of diabetes, also known as the 4Ts, are:

• Toilet – going for a wee a lot, especially at night
• Thirsty – being really thirsty
• Tired – feeling more tired than usual
• Thinner – losing weight without trying to

These symptoms can affect anyone, both adults and children. They can develop quickly, especially in type 1 diabetes. Find out more about the 4Ts and what they mean.

Other symptoms of diabetes can include:

• Genital itching or thrush
• Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
• Blurred eyesight
• Increased hunger
• Behaviour changes, such as feeling more irritable

You may experience other diabetes symptoms, and the symptoms you have may not exactly match that of another person and may not be on the list above. 

To find out more about common diabetes symptoms and what causes them, watch our video.

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Symptoms in different types of diabetes

The symptoms of diabetes may be more noticeable in some types of diabetes than others and can develop at different speeds. Some symptoms may develop in a matter of weeks or months. Other symptoms may take longer.

Find out more about symptoms in specific types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes symptoms
• Type 2 diabetes symptoms
• Gestational diabetes symptoms
• Symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children
• Prediabetes symptoms

You’re showing diabetes symptoms: what next?

If you feel very unwell or your symptoms of diabetes have come on quickly, it is essential to make 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. Find out more about getting tested for diabetes.

If you’d like to hear from other people or share your experience, you can visit the Diabetes UK Support Forum. It’s a space to connect with others, but it’s not a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. If you’re worried about symptoms, please speak to your GP.

What does undiagnosed diabetes feel like? 

“For a few months before my diagnosis, I’d been feeling increasingly unwell. I felt very weak, had low energy, and was losing weight without trying. At the time, I had attributed these symptoms to my returning to work after maternity leave and looking after a little one – which usually means little sleep. I thought this was completely normal as a first-time mum, but my body was signalling that something far more serious was happening.” Read Sonia’s story in full.

Experiencing diabetes symptoms

“I also had some new symptoms that were really impacting my quality of life including weight gain around my stomach, extreme thirst, dizziness, needing the toilet often, fatigue and more.” Read Beth’s story in full.

What causes symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes symptoms happen when there is not enough insulin to move the glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells, where it is used for energy. 

This can cause the 4Ts, some of the most common symptoms of diabetes:

Thirsty – when there is too much glucose in the blood, the cells move water to the blood to try to dilute it, and the body tries to remove the excess through urine. This can make you lose more fluid and leave you feeling thirsty.

Toilet – your kidneys work harder to get rid of extra glucose from your blood. This can make you need to wee more often.

Tired – if glucose cannot get into the body's cells, they do not have the energy they need. This can leave you feeling tired.

Thinner – if the body can't use glucose for energy, it may break down fat as an alternative energy source. This can cause weight loss.

Other symptoms can happen too. For example, high levels of glucose being passed in the urine are a perfect breeding ground for the fungal infection that causes thrush. And high levels of glucose in the blood can mean that cuts and wounds take longer to heal.

But not everyone will experience symptoms.

When to speak to a doctor 

You should contact your local GP if:

• You or your child is showing symptoms of diabetes.
• You have used our Know Your Risk tool and been told you are at high or very high risk of type 2 diabetes.
• You have concerns about your risk of developing diabetes and would like advice.

If you think your partner or a friend is also at risk of diabetes, speak to them and encourage them to seek professional advice. 

Diabetes risk factors

The factors that increase your risk of developing diabetes are complex and can vary from person to person. They may also be slightly different depending on the type of diabetes you have. We call these risk factors.

Some of these risk factors are:

• Age
• Ethnicity
• Family history
• Genetics
• High blood pressure
• Living with obesity or overweight
• Your waist measurement

Some of these are things you can’t change. Your age is one; your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as you get older. 

Your ethnicity also plays a role. People from African Caribbean, Black African, or South Asian backgrounds are at higher risk, often from a younger age. Additionally, having family members with type 2 diabetes raises your risk. 

But there are some risk factors that you may be able to change with the right support, like your weight or waist size.

Know Your Risk 

It’s important to know your risk of developing diabetes, as it can inform your future decisions.

Check your risk of type 2 diabetes using our free Know Your Risk tool - it only takes two minutes. If your score is high or very high risk, you'll need to ask your GP for a blood test.

If you ignore the signs of diabetes

It’s hard to ignore the signs of type 1 diabetes because symptoms can often appear quite quickly. But leaving it untreated can lead to serious health problems. One risk is diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Although the majority of people with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed in childhood and early adulthood, the symptoms are the same at any age. Adults with type 1 diabetes might not notice their symptoms as quickly as children. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Type 2 diabetes can be easier to miss as it develops more slowly, especially in the early stages, when it can be harder to spot the symptoms. But untreated diabetes can harm many major organs. This includes your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Being diagnosed early and managing your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications. 

Getting diagnosed and receiving the right treatment is crucial. It can lower the risk of serious complications.