What are early warning signs of diabetes?

The early warning signs of diabetes can be incredibly subtle, which is why millions of people walk around with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes for years. One of the most common early symptoms is excessive thirst (polydipsia) paired with frequent urination (polyuria). When there is too much sugar in your blood, your kidneys work overtime to filter it out. If they can't keep up, the excess sugar is excreted into your urine, dragging fluids from your tissues along with it, leaving you dehydrated and constantly running to the bathroom. You might also experience unexplained fatigue because your body isn't efficiently converting the food you eat into cellular energy. Blurry vision is another easily dismissed sign; high blood sugar can cause fluid to shift in and out of the lenses in your eyes, altering their shape and your ability to focus. Additionally, look out for tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, slow-healing cuts or bruises, and frequent infections, such as yeast infections or recurring urinary tract infections. If you notice a combination of these, request a fasting glucose or A1C test.