5 Warning Signs of Diabetes

Over 38 million people in the United States have diabetes. A Keck Medicine of USC endocrinologist discusses five warning signs of this chronic disease.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects almost 12% of people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these people are often undiagnosed, too, putting them at risk of complications.

“In the early stages of diabetes, people often don’t have symptoms, so the American Diabetes Association recommends that every adult get screened for diabetes by age 35,” says Alyssa Dominguez, MD, an endocrinologist with Keck Medicine of USC. It’s especially important for people with risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes, or if their body mass index (BMI) measures in the overweight or obese range, to get screened early and regularly for diabetes.

While getting screened by a doctor through blood testing is the most definitive way to determine if you have diabetes, there are some symptoms to watch out for as well that are signs you might have diabetes. If you experience the following symptoms, see a doctor to be screened for diabetes.

Urinating more than usual

“The frequency of urination is pretty subjective,” Dr. Dominguez says. “I would say if somebody notices that they’re urinating more than what is typical for them, that could be a sign of diabetes.”

But keep in mind, there are many other conditions that can cause increased frequency of urination. For example, men with prostate issues or women after menopause can both experience some increased frequency of urination, Dr. Dominguez says.

Feeling excessively thirsty

“Increased thirst is one of the most common first symptoms of diabetes that people notice,” Dr. Dominguez says. This happens because high blood sugar levels can lead to excessive urination, which can cause dehydration.

Losing weight

Rapid or abnormal weight loss is also one of the most common signs people notice when they first develop diabetes, Dr. Dominguez says. This can happen because with unregulated insulin, the body can start to burn fat or muscle for fuel, leading to unintentional weight loss that can be problematic.

Experiencing skin changes

“Skin tags can be a sign of insulin resistance,” Dr. Dominguez says. “Additionally, another skin finding we can see is a phenomenon called acanthosis nigricans, which is darkened, velvety skin that can be seen on the back of the neck or in the armpit area. That can be a physical sign of insulin resistance or diabetes.”

Slow wound healing

“We know that high blood sugar slows down wound healing,” Dr. Dominguez says. “However, that’s something I typically see more in people who have more advanced forms of diabetes and who have had high blood sugar for a while. But if someone has not seen a doctor for a long time, they might have high blood sugar that has just gone undetected, and that could lead them to have slower wound healing.”

While these are the first signs of diabetes, Dr. Dominguez emphasizes the importance of getting screened for diabetes before symptoms occur, usually with a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test or a fasting blood glucose test. These are all part of most normal lab work screenings done by your doctor.

“Early diabetes is often asymptomatic,” Dr. Dominguez advises. “It’s important to get tested before symptoms occur so you can get the appropriate treatment and don’t experience major issues from your diabetes.”

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