Type 2 diabetes symptoms — am I at risk?

• Feeling very thirsty and drinking more than usual
• Peeing more often, especially at night
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
• Recurrent infections (e.g. thrush)
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Many people have no symptoms at all in the early stages — which is why risk-checking and blood tests matter.

Risk is higher if you’re over 40 (or over 25 in some ethnic groups), carry excess weight around your middle, are physically inactive, have a family history of diabetes, have had high blood pressure or high blood glucose, or had gestational diabetes. Some South Asian, African-Caribbean and Middle Eastern backgrounds carry higher risk from a younger age.

See your GP if you have any of the symptoms above, or if a risk check suggests moderate-or-higher risk. A simple blood test (usually HbA1c) can show whether your blood sugar is raised. Catching prediabetes early gives the best chance to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Much of the risk is modifiable. Losing 5–10% of body weight, moving more, improving diet and stopping smoking can substantially lower your chance of developing type 2 diabetes — and can even push prediabetes back toward normal.