What are the symptoms for prediabetes?
There aren’t usually any prediabetes symptoms – which is higher than normal blood sugar levels (but below the range for type 2 diabetes) – so it may not be picked up unless your GP is carrying out a routine blood test or an NHS health check which is offered to some people in England.
If you’re worried about your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years, spend a few minutes filling in our type 2 diabetes risk score. You’ll need to know your height, your weight and your waist measurement.
If the results show your risk is high or very high, you will be advised to see your GP and given a letter to ask for a blood test which can be used to diagnose prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
If you start to notice any of these symptoms, you may have developed type 2 diabetes:
- going to the toilet more often, especially at night
- feeling more tired than usual
- losing weight without trying
- genital itching or thrush
- cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision
- feeling extremely thirsty.
Prediabetes symptoms in women
There are usually no symptoms if you have prediabetes. But women often search for this information.
It could be because some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes - mentioned above - can be similar to the perimenopause such as vaginal itching and feeling more tired than usual. Find out more information about the link between the menopause and type 2 diabetes. If you do have symptoms, contact your GP.
Some women have a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which increases risk of type 2 diabetes. Find out more information.
Prediabetes symptoms in children and young people
Because there aren't any symptoms for prediabetes, it's important to be aware of the prediabetes risk factors which are the same in children and adults.
Like adults, there may be children and young people living with undiagnosed prediabetes. If left undetected, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes.
This is of particular concern in children and young adults, in which type 2 diabetes is known to be more aggressive. If left untreated it can lead to permanent damage in the body due to the build-up of sugar in the blood.
Our type 2 diabetes risk score only calculates the risk of type 2 diabetes for people aged 18 and over. We know that living with overweight or obesity can increase risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. If this is of concern to you, you can check a child's weight category (if they're aged 2 to 17) using the BMI calculator for children and teenagers on the NHS website. It will signpost you to further advice and support.
If you’re worried your child is at risk of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, we’re here to help with tips and support. Call our helpline on 0345 123 2399.
