Blog - Diabetes Information, Symptoms & Diagnoses
First Signs of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a complex condition that impacts many parts of the body and shows up differently for every person. Some individuals are at higher risk of developing diabetes than others. If you’re looking out for the signs of diabetes, it’s critical to talk to your healthcare professional (HCP) about any symptoms you may be having. Knowing what some of these symptoms look like can help you start a proactive discussion with your HCP about diabetes and your treatment options.
Diabetes Warning Signs: The 4Ts
There are a number of symptoms that can indicate an individual may be developing either type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). The four more common ones are referred to as the 4Ts: toilet, thirsty, tired, and thinner.1,2
1. Toilet
Diabetes causes an increase in the level of sugar, also known as glucose, in the bloodstream. The body tries to compensate for this by eliminating the extra glucose through urine which means you may go to the toilet more often, especially at night. Your HCP might refer to this as polyuria.3,4
2. Thirsty
The body is trying to get rid of the excess glucose through the urine, so it gets dehydrated much faster, leading to a constant feeling of thirst that you’re unable to quench. This is also called polydipsia.3
3. Tired
Our bodies use glucose from the foods we eat for energy. Diabetes causes issues with how the body uses glucose, which means that the body can’t use it for energy properly. This can lead to feeling extremely exhausted.5
4. Thinner
When the body can’t use glucose for energy, it starts to use up the body’s energy stores, including fat and even muscle. This can lead to losing weight without trying to and looking thinner than you used to without explanation.6
These symptoms usually develop quickly in people living with type 1 diabetes but can take months, or years, to develop in those who are living with type 2 diabetes.7 It’s critical to check in with your HCP and discuss any symptoms you or your loved one may be experiencing.
Other Early Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes affects everyone differently; some people may experience symptoms that others do not. Individuals who might have type 1 diabetes are more likely to have acute symptoms that appear quickly and need immediate medical attention. On the other hand, some people who may be developing type 2 diabetes may not have any symptoms at all.7 A few other common symptoms of diabetes beyond the 4Ts to keep an eye out for include:7,8
- Feeling hungrier than usual.
- Having blurred vision.
- Feeling numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
- Having dry skin.
- Having cuts and wounds that heal slowly.
- Getting more infections.
- Suffering from oral or genital thrush (which causes genital itching).
Are Symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes the Same?
Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes share some similar symptoms, including the 4Ts. However, T1D and T2D are not caused by the same things, so the symptoms of both forms of diabetes are slightly different.
Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. According to Diabetes UK, about 8 percent of people living with diabetes in the UK have T1D. This type of diabetes occurs because of an event where the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is the hormone in the body that makes it possible for glucose in the bloodstream to be absorbed into our cells so that it can be used for energy. Without insulin, the glucose in the bloodstream can’t be absorbed, so glucose levels increase, leading to complications.2
Because type 1 diabetes is most common in children, parents and caregivers should look out for how the 4Ts can show up for them:2
- Toilet: Your child might start wetting the bed or have fuller nappies.
- Thirsty: You may notice your child drinking more or asking for drinks more frequently.
- Tired: You may notice that your child is napping for longer or that their teacher or nursery staff notice that they are having trouble staying awake throughout the day.
- Thinner: Your child’s clothes might be fitting looser than usual.
Some of the risk factors that may contribute to the possibility of developing type 1 diabetes include one’s genetics and viral infections caused by Human Enteroviruses (HEVs). T1D is a complex condition, and researchers are still working to determine what might cause it.9
Warning Signs of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops over time. It happens because the pancreas either can’t produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs or the body is unable to use insulin effectively to absorb glucose for energy, which is called insulin resistance. According to Diabetes UK, around 90 percent of people in the UK living with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. T2D usually occurs in adults and can go undiagnosed for up to 10 years as symptoms aren’t always obvious. In addition to the 4Ts, there are a few other symptoms that may occur as type 2 diabetes develops, including:10
- High blood pressure.
- Rapid breathing.
- Frequent headaches.
- Experiencing mood swings or depression.
Because many people don’t show symptoms of T2D right away, it’s important to know what are some of the risk factors for developing the condition. A few of these factors are:11
- Being over the age of 40 if you’re white, and over the age of 25 if you’re African-Caribbean, Black African, and South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi).
- Having a parent, child, or sibling with diabetes.
- Having high blood pressure at some point in your life.
- Having a large waist measurement or if you’re living with obesity or overweight.
Sometimes, older adults living with type 1 diabetes are misdiagnosed as having type 2 diabetes.12 Type 1 diabetes that develops later in life is called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, or LADA13. Studies have found that about 38 percent of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes actually had type 1 diabetes.12 It’s critical to be properly diagnosed because T1D requires insulin treatment. Without insulin, individuals living with type 1 diabetes can experience severely high glucose, which leads to serious acute complicationsissues.12
Is Prediabetes an Early Sign of Type 2 Diabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition that happens when a person’s glucose levels are higher than normal, but they aren’t high enough to warrant a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Those who develop prediabetes may not show any symptoms at all, while some people may experience similar symptoms to T2D.14 Your HCP will run a blood test to confirm if you are living with prediabetes. An HbA1C test result between 6 percent and 6.4 percent usually indicates prediabetes.15
At the prediabetes stage, it is possible to make lifestyle and diet changes to ensure that you don’t develop T2D. Increasing physical activity, switching to a healthier diet plan, and losing weight have all been linked to reducing the likelihood that prediabetes will progress to type 2 diabetes.15
What are the Less-common Symptoms of Diabetes?
Some of the symptoms of diabetes are less obvious and not as well-known as the 4Ts. A few things that might happen in the body as a result of diabetes may include:
- Acanthosis nigricans, which is a condition where the areas around skin folds become dark and velvety. It usually happens in the armpits, groin, and neck. People with acanthosis nigricans are more likely to develop insulin resistance, which may lead to type 2 diabetes.16
- Reactive hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) happens when glucose levels drop significantly within five hours after eating a meal. It may indicate insulin resistance.17
- Fruity or acidic-smelling breath can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, which is when glucose levels are extremely high (≥13.3 mmol/L) because the body can’t absorb glucose for energy. The liver begins breaking down fat to use for energy instead, producing acids called ketones. A build-up of ketones can harm the body.17
- Erectile dysfunction can occur if an individual has had high glucose levels over a long period of time. For more information on this, read this article on the link between diabetes and erectile dysfunction.18
Take Action if You Notice the First Signs of Diabetes
The first thing you should do if you think that you or a loved one is showing diabetes symptoms is to see your HCP as soon as possible. They can run the necessary tests to confirm a diagnosis and put you on the path to treating diabetes.
Explore the tools, resources, and technology that are available to help manage diabetes with confidence in our article, Managing Diabetes Through Self-Care, Education & Technology.
References and Footnotes
1 What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes? Diabetes UK. Accessed March 13, 2023.
2 Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 13, 2023.
3 Thirst. NHS inform. Updated March 10, 2023.
4 Polyuria Frequent Urination. Diabetes.co.uk. Reviewed January 25, 2023.
5 Extreme Tiredness (Fatigue). Diabetes.co.uk. Reviewed January 25, 2023.
6 Unexplained Weight Loss. Diabetes.co.uk. Reviewed January 25, 2023.
7 Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 13, 2023.
8 Diabetes Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed December 30, 2022.
9 Research Spotlight - What Causes Type 1 Diabetes? Diabetes UK. Accessed March 14, 2023.
10 What Are The Causes And Genetic Components Of Type 2 Diabetes? dLife. Reviewed in April 2018.
11 Diabetes Risk Factors. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 14, 2023.
12 Bao YK, et al. Mistaken Identity: Missed Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in an Older Adult. Med Res Arch. 2019;7(8):1962. doi:10.18103/mra.v7i8.1962
13 Buzzetti R, et al. Management of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults: A Consensus Statement From an International Expert Panel. Diabetes. 2020;69(10):2037–2047. doi:10.2337/dbi20-0017
14 Prediabetes. American Diabetes Association. Accessed March 14, 2023.
15 Prediabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 14, 2023.
16 Acanthosis nigricans. Mayo Clinic. Updated June 2, 2022.
17 Altuntaş Y. Postprandial Reactive Hypoglycemia. Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul. 2019;53(3):215-220. Published 2019 Aug 28. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.59455
18 Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated December 30, 2022.
19 Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: Take control today. Mayo Clinic. Updated February 16, 2023.
1 What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes? Diabetes UK. Accessed March 13, 2023.
2 Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 13, 2023.
3 Thirst. NHS inform. Updated March 10, 2023.
4 Polyuria Frequent Urination. Diabetes.co.uk. Reviewed January 25, 2023.
5 Extreme Tiredness (Fatigue). Diabetes.co.uk. Reviewed January 25, 2023.
6 Unexplained Weight Loss. Diabetes.co.uk. Reviewed January 25, 2023.
7 Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 13, 2023.
8 Diabetes Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed December 30, 2022.
9 Research Spotlight - What Causes Type 1 Diabetes? Diabetes UK. Accessed March 14, 2023.
10 What Are The Causes And Genetic Components Of Type 2 Diabetes? dLife. Reviewed in April 2018.
11 Diabetes Risk Factors. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 14, 2023.
12 Bao YK, et al. Mistaken Identity: Missed Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in an Older Adult. Med Res Arch. 2019;7(8):1962. doi:10.18103/mra.v7i8.1962
13 Buzzetti R, et al. Management of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults: A Consensus Statement From an International Expert Panel. Diabetes. 2020;69(10):2037–2047. doi:10.2337/dbi20-0017
14 Prediabetes. American Diabetes Association. Accessed March 14, 2023.
15 Prediabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed March 14, 2023.
16 Acanthosis nigricans. Mayo Clinic. Updated June 2, 2022.
17 Altuntaş Y. Postprandial Reactive Hypoglycemia. Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul. 2019;53(3):215-220. Published 2019 Aug 28. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.59455
18 Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated December 30, 2022.
19 Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: Take control today. Mayo Clinic. Updated February 16, 2023.