How to Know You May Have Diabetes
Author: Oke Ikpekpe, MSc (PH)
Medical Reviewer: Azuka Chinweokwu Ezeike, MBBS, FWACS, FMCOG, MSc (PH)
Highlights
Diabetes results from a problem in how the body converts sugar (glucose) into the fuel that is needed to function.
Signs to watch out for include always urinating, especially at night, feeling thirsty all the time, increased appetite or losing weight without trying.
Factors like age, weight, family history and ethnicity increase the risk of having diabetes.
The most common types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes, although there are several rare forms.
Symptoms like fruity breath, sudden confusion, or persistent vomiting are medical emergencies that require immediate care.
Clinical tests such as A1C, Fasting Glucose, and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) are used for diagnosis.
Introduction
When you hear the word diabetes, what comes to mind?For most people, it's sugar.
Diabetes isn't really about eating too many sweets, and it's more complicated than that.
It is a long-term condition that requires ongoing care because, if left uncontrolled, it can lead to serious health problems. In some people, the signs are obvious. In others, they develop gradually and may not be noticed right away.That's why it's crucial to know the warning signs and get checked.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus (DM), also known as diabetes, is a chronic disease that occurs when [1,2]:
- The pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or
- The body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
So sugar remains in the bloodstream instead of moving into the cells where it is needed. And this leads to high blood sugar known as hyperglycaemia, which interferes with how the body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy [1,2].
Glucose is the body’s main fuel. To make use of it, the body depends on insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps move glucose from the blood into the cells. When this process is disrupted, sugar builds up in the blood.This can cause damage to various parts of your body over time, including:
- Your eyes (vision problems, even blindness)
- Your nerves (numbness, tingling, reduced sensation)
- Your feet (poor circulation, ulcers, infections)
- Your heart and blood vessels (increased risk of heart disease, stroke)
- Your kidneys (kidney disease)
- Your gums (gum disease)
Common Warning Signs of Diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can begin with mild or unnoticed signs.Gestational diabetes usually does not cause obvious symptoms.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association advise paying attention to the following changes:
- Urinating more often, especially at night
- Feeling unusually thirsty
- Feeling hungrier than normal
- Losing weight without trying
- Constant tiredness or low energy
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections, such as urinary or yeast infections
- Mood changes or irritability
- Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
- Dark patches of skin, often around the neck, underarms, or groin
- Numbness, tingling, or reduced feeling in the hands or feet
Who Is at Risk of Diabetes?
While Type 1 is mostly linked to family history and age, Type 2 and gestational diabetes have broader risk factors.
You may be at higher risk if you [3,4]:
- Are overweight or obese
- Are 45 years or older
- Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Live with high blood pressure or heart disease
- Have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Are physically inactive
- Have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Gave birth to a baby weighing 4 kg or more
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Have prediabetes (higher than normal blood sugar levels)
- Are of African, Asian, Hispanic, or Indigenous ethnic background
- Experience long-term stress or certain mental health conditions, which may affect blood sugar and lifestyle habits.
Types of Diabetes
If you are at risk, understanding the different types of diabetes can help you know what to expect. The most common types of diabetes are [1,2]:
- Type 1: An autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. It usually appears in children or young adults and requires lifelong insulin therapy.
- Type 2: The most common form, where the body becomes resistant to insulin. It is typically managed through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication.
- Gestational: Develops during pregnancy (tested at 24–28 weeks). While it often resolves after birth, it increases the mother's future risk for Type 2. The child also has a higher risk of developing obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life [4].
Other Rare Types of Diabetes are [2,3]
- LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults): This type develops slowly in adults, usually after age 30. It has features of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and is often first mistaken for Type 2 diabetes.
- MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young): It is an inherited type of diabetes that runs in families. It usually appears in teenagers or young adults and is not related to lifestyle or weight.
- Neonatal Diabetes: This is a rare form that occurs in babies, usually within the first six months of life, and needs specialist medical care.
- Type 3c Diabetes (Pancreatogenic Diabetes): This happens when the pancreas is damaged by conditions such as pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, or cystic fibrosis. It often requires both insulin and enzyme replacement therapy.
- Steroid-Induced Diabetes: This can occur in people taking corticosteroid medications, especially at high doses.
- Type 5 Diabetes: It is a recently recognised form of diabetes linked to poor nutrition during childhood or adolescence, which affects how the pancreas develops. It is more common in parts of Africa and Asia and is often seen in young, lean individuals. It may be mistaken for Type 1 diabetes.
Prevention of Diabetes
While Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, healthy lifestyle choices can prevent prediabetes, type 2, and gestational diabetes.To reduce your risk [1]:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay physically active with at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fibre (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts) and low in added sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods.
- Avoid smoking
- Go for regular medical check-ups and blood sugar testing, especially if you have risk factors for diabetes.
Managing Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
Dieting is the foundation of treatment. However, many people may also require medication to keep blood sugar levels in a safe range with medications.Commonly prescribed treatments include:
- Oral Medications: These are medicines taken by mouth to help lower blood sugar. The most commonly used is metformin, especially for people with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Other examples include sulfonylureas or sodium-glucose co-transporters type 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors.
- Insulin Injections: When the blood sugar is not controlled with diet and medications.
- Heart Health Meds: Statins (for cholesterol) or blood pressure medicine to reduce stroke and heart disease risk.
Essential follow-up care involves:
- Foot care: Regular exams to prevent and treat ulcers.
- Kidney screening: Tests to monitor and treat early signs of kidney disease.
- Eye exams: Specialist screenings for retinopathy (vision damage).
Tests Used to Diagnose Diabetes
Diabetes cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. A healthcare provider will need to perform blood tests to check your blood sugar levels. The common tests include [5,6,7]:
1. Haemoglobin A1C Test
This test shows your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. It does not require fasting.According to the American Diabetes Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the reference ranges are interpreted as:
Normal: Below 5.7%
Pre-diabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%
Diabetes: 6.5% or higher
This test is commonly used because it shows long-term blood sugar control. While the A1C test is the standard for tracking long-term blood sugar, doctors may sometimes use other markers, such as Fructosamine, to see blood sugar trends over a shorter period of 2–3 weeks.
2. Fasting Blood Sugar Test
This test measures your blood sugar after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, usually overnight.Results are interpreted as [5]:
Normal: 70 to 99 mg/dL
Pre-diabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL
Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher
3. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
This test checks how your body handles sugar. Your blood sugar is tested after fasting, then again after drinking a special sugary drink, two hours after the drink [5]:
Normal: 140 mg/dL or below
Pre-diabetes: 140 to 199 mg/dL
Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher
It is commonly used to diagnose diabetes during pregnancy. For gestational diabetes, it is typically done after an initial glucose screening test if the screening result is higher than normal.
4. Random Blood Sugar Test
This test measures your blood sugar at any time of the day, without fasting.
Diabetes may be diagnosed if blood sugar is 200 mg/dL or higher, especially if symptoms are present.
5. Autoantibody Test
It is used when type 1 diabetes is suspected. It detects autoantibodies that attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. So it is not a routine test for everyone, and it helps doctors to distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Important Note
Because blood sugar can fluctuate, abnormal results are usually repeated to confirm a final diagnosis.
What to Do If You Think You Have Diabetes
The best thing you can do is reach out to your healthcare provider; prevention and treatment are made easier with an early diagnosis [8].
This is what you ought to do:
- Visit a clinic or hospital to have your blood sugar checked.
- If the results show that you have diabetes, work with your doctor and follow the treatment plan they recommend.
When to See a Doctor?
You should definitely see a doctor if you’re noticing any of the common warning signs, especially if they aren't going away or seem to be getting worse.If you've already been diagnosed with diabetes, regular follow-up appointments are very important. They aren't just for checking numbers; they are a chance for your doctor to adjust your treatment and for you to get the support you need to manage your condition.
Blood sugar levels can get dangerously high or low, which can result in a medical emergency [9]. This can happen whether you’re already on treatment or if you don't even know you have diabetes yet.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe confusion or difficulty thinking clearly
- Fruity-smelling breath, which may indicate a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis
- Severe stomach pain, nausea, or persistent vomiting
- Sudden blurred vision
- Extreme weakness, dizziness, or difficulty staying awake
These symptoms indicate an emergency, and prompt treatment can prevent life-threatening complications [9].
Conclusion
Diabetes affects millions of people around the world, and yes, it's a serious condition. Whether you are working to prevent it or learning to live with a diagnosis, the most powerful tool you have is awareness.With early detection, the right treatment, healthy lifestyle habits and good medical care, people with diabetes live full, active, and meaningful lives.
According to the American Diabetes Federation, early diagnosis and good management are still the most powerful tools we have to reduce the impact of diabetes and improve quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can eating sugar cause diabetes?
Not exactly. Sugar itself isn't the direct cause, but a diet high in sugar can lead to weight gain and increased body fat, both of which are major risk factors for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.
2. Can Type 2 diabetes be reversed?
Diabetes has no cure. However, in some cases, lifestyle changes like significant weight loss and a healthy diet can put Type 2 diabetes into remission, where blood sugar levels return to a normal range without medication.
3. Why do people with diabetes urinate more often?
People with diabetes may urinate more because excess sugar in the blood spills into the urine. The kidneys try to remove this extra sugar, and in doing so, they pull more water along with it. This leads to frequent urination and increased thirst.
4. What is the difference between an A1C test and a finger-prick test?
Finger-stick tests show blood sugar at that moment, while the A1C test reflects the average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months.
5. Can stress cause diabetes?
Only stress won't give you diabetes, but it can play a role. Long-term stress raises hormones like cortisol, which can push blood sugar up, especially if you already have other risk factors.
References
- World Health Organisation. Diabetes [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
- Rana A, Kushnir O. Diabetes: A global challenge and the impact of melatonin. Nat Math Sci Med Med Educ [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 19];1(1):9-21. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387466511_Diabetes_a_global_challenge_and_the_impact_of_melatonin
- Yameny AA. Diabetes mellitus overview 2024. J Biosci Appl Res [Internet]. 2024 Sep 28 [cited 2026 Feb 19];10(3):641-5. Available from: https://jbaar.journals.ekb.eg/article_382794_c43f6cc2d10fae6133acd8e0db31d929.pdf
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes risk factors [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/index.html
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes testing [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-testing/index.html
- Qadir A, Dar MA, Qadrie Z, Ashraf H. Comprehensive insights into diabetes mellitus: diagnosis, management, and emerging trends. J Prev Diagn Manag Hum Dis [Internet]. 2022 Nov 23 [cited 2026 Feb 19];2(6):15-22. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383535369_ComprehensiveInsights_into_Diabetes_Mellitus_Diagnosis_Management_and_Emerging_Trends
- Shaikh A, Kolhatkar M, Sopane D, Thorve AN. Review on: diabetes mellitus is a disease. Int J Res Pharm Sci [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2026 Feb 19];13:102-109. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367745861_Review_on_Diabetes_Mellitus_is_a_Disease
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Put the brakes on diabetes complications [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention-type-2/stop-diabetes-complications.html
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetic ketoacidosis [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; 2024 [cited 2026 Feb 19]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/diabetic-ketoacidosis.html
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Published February 25, 2026