Up to two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes have no
symptoms. If present, the most common ones are:
- increased production of urine (the body is trying to get
rid of the excess glucose in the urine)
- unusual thirst
- tiredness (because the glucose is "going to waste" and
not being converted into energy)
- loss of weight
- increased appetite
- feeling sick
- blurred vision
- infections such as thrush or irritation of the genitals
Some people simply feel a
bit unwell or assume they are just ageing.
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Signs and tests
Type 2 diabetes is
diagnosed with the following blood tests:
- Fasting blood glucose level -- diabetes is
diagnosed if higher than 126 mg/dL on two
occasions.
- Random (non-fasting) blood glucose level --
diabetes is suspected if higher than 200 mg/dL
and accompanied by the classic symptoms of
increased thirst, urination, and fatigue. (This
test must be confirmed with a fasting blood
glucose test.)
- Oral glucose tolerance test -- diabetes is
diagnosed if glucose level is higher than 200
mg/dL after 2 hours.
(From the National
Institute of Health and Diabetes UK) |