Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes symptoms are varied and can include:

Extreme thirst
Frequent urination (particularly at night)
Extreme tiredness
Weight loss or muscle loss
Itching around the vagina or penis
Regular thrush (yeast infections)
Blurred vision
Cramp
Skin infections


Seek URGENT medical attention if you progress to vomiting or deep heavy breathing.

Symptoms of low blood glucose (Hypoglycaemia)

Feeling shaky and/or irritable
Sweating
Tingling lips
Feeling weak
Hunger
Nausea (feeling sick)


Symptoms of high blood glucose (Hyperglycaemia)

Extreme thirst
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Drowsiness
Need to pass urine frequently


If you have already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and show signs of:

Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
High temperature
Stomach pains
Fruity smelling breath (smells like pear drops or nail varnish)


Seek URGENT medical attention.

Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

There are various ways to diagnose type 1 diabetes, firstly, via a urine sample, this will check to see if your urine contains glucose, typically urine does not contain glucose, however, if you have diabetes some glucose can overflow through the kidneys and into the urine. Your urine sample may also be tested for ketones which can indicate type 1 diabetes. Depending on these results you may be required to have a blood test to confirm diagnosis (process for this is as below).
To accurately diagnose type 1 diabetes you will first need a fasting blood glucose test known as a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) to check your glucose levels.
Your initial blood test will check your fasting plasma glucose level, you will be required to have this test before food roughly 12 hours since you last ate, your fasting plasma glucose level is expected to be equal to or greater than 7.0mmol.
If your blood glucose levels are not high enough after your initial blood test your Doctor or GP may request an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). You will then be required to drink 75g of oral glucose. Your second blood test will be taken 2 hours after, with an expected reading equal to or greater than 11mmol, this is to determine how your body processed the 75g of glucose.