Signs of Diabetes: Symptoms by Type and When to Get Tested
Common signs of diabetes are urinating often, being very thirsty or hungry, losing weight without trying, feeling tired, and blurry vision. Many people with type 2 have no symptoms at all, so a blood test is the only way to know.
Signs in both types
- Urinating more often, especially at night
- More thirst and hunger
- Losing weight without trying
- Fatigue and irritability
- Blurry vision
- Frequent urinary tract or yeast infections
How the types differ
| Type | How symptoms show up (CDC) | Extra signs |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Can appear suddenly, over weeks or months, and can be severe | Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; in children, new bed-wetting |
| Type 2 | Often develop slowly over years; some people notice none | Slow-healing cuts or sores, dark patches on the neck, armpits or groin, numb or tingling hands or feet |
| Gestational | Usually no symptoms | Found by testing at 24 to 28 weeks |
If you have none of these
You can still have prediabetes or type 2. The ADA suggests testing from age 35, and sooner for adults with overweight and a risk factor such as a close relative with diabetes or high blood pressure. Try the prediabetes risk test.
What a blood test shows
An A1C of 6.5% or higher, or a fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, is in the diabetes range, and a clinician confirms it. See A1C of 6.5. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose diabetes, because many other conditions cause them.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of diabetes?
The CDC lists urinating often, increased thirst and hunger, unintended weight loss, tiredness, irritability, blurry vision, and frequent urinary tract or yeast infections. Type 2 adds slow-healing sores, dark skin patches and numb or tingling hands or feet.
Can you have diabetes with no symptoms?
Yes. The CDC says some people do not notice any symptoms, and type 2 symptoms often take years to develop. That is why screening by blood test matters.
How fast do type 1 symptoms appear?
The CDC says type 1 symptoms can appear suddenly, over weeks or months, and can be severe. Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain can signal diabetic ketoacidosis.
Does gestational diabetes cause symptoms?
Usually not. That is why testing is recommended between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
What should I do if I have these signs?
Make an appointment for a blood test. Only a lab test can diagnose diabetes. For very high readings, vomiting or confusion, seek urgent care.
Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.
Sources
- CDC: Symptoms of Diabetes (May 2024)
- NIDDK: What Is Diabetes? (reviewed April 2023)
- ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026, Section 2: Diagnosis and Classification
Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.
