Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly from a condition called prediabetes, and symptoms may not be apparent for years. Symptoms can include excessive thirst, which develops because hyperglycemia, or high levels of glucose in the blood, acts as a sponge to pull fluid out of the body's tissues. This leads to dehydration and extreme thirst as well as frequent urination. This also pulls fluid away from the eyes, resulting in blurred vision.
Because the body's cells aren't able to get the glucose they need for energy, people with type 2 diabetes may feel tired and fatigued. Without the proper energy supply for the cells, people with type 2 diabetes may feel very hungry, and weight loss may result because the body has to use other sources for energy, such as burning muscle and fat stores. High levels of sugar in the blood make it more difficult for the body to resist and fight infections and to heal, resulting in frequent infections, especially skin infections and open, slow healing sores.
High amounts of glucose in the blood can also lead to hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome, coma, and shock. Over time hyperglycemia damages the body's blood vessels, leading to serious long-term complications, such as kidney failure, diabetic retinopathy and blindness, peripheral neuropathy, kidney failure, serious skin infections, gangrene, cardiovascular disease, stroke, disability, and death....more about Type 2 diabetes »
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Type 2 diabetes includes the 63 symptoms listed below:
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The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Type 2 diabetes includes:
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The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. They are not as sudden in onset as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue or nausea, frequent urination, unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Overview: NIDDK)
Many people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms can also be so mild that you might not even notice them. Five million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it. Here is what to look for:
Sometimes people have symptoms but do not suspect diabetes. They delay scheduling a checkup because they do not feel sick. Many people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes complications, such as blurry vision or heart trouble. It is important to find out early if you have diabetes because treatment can prevent damage to the body from diabetes. (Source: excerpt from Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: NIDDK)
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually and are not as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include feeling tired or ill, frequent urination (especially at night), unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of sores. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes: NWHIC)
People with type 2 diabetes often do not have symptoms, but you might have one or more of these signs:
being very thirsty
urinating often
feeling very hungry or tired
losing weight without trying
having sores that are slow to heal
having dry, itchy skin
having tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
having blurred vision.
Some people with diabetes feel "run down" or have symptoms that may go unrecognized. Others have symptoms such as feeling thirsty, urinating frequently, losing weight, feeling tired, having blurred vision, getting skin infections, and having slow healing cuts and bruises. These problems should be reported to a doctor right away. (Source: excerpt from Dealing With Diabetes -- Age Page -- Health Information: NIA)
When considering symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, it is also important to consider Type 2 diabetes as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Type 2 diabetes may cause:
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The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. This signs and symptoms information for Type 2 diabetes has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Type 2 diabetes signs or Type 2 diabetes symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Type 2 diabetes symptoms.
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