How do you know if you have diabetes?

Every five minutes, someone in Australia develops diabetes. This means almost 1.9 million of us are living with this chronic and complex condition. So, how do you know if you have diabetes? Are there any diabetes warning signs to look out for? And are you at risk? Here’s what you need to know about diabetes, and how to recognise the symptoms.

When our bodies are functioning as they should, insulin regulates our blood sugar levels so they don’t get too high. However, in people with diabetes, there is either inadequate insulin produced or there is insulin resistance so the blood sugar levels are higher than they should be.  

This can lead to health complications such as:

• Kidney damage

• Eye damage

• Nerve damage (especially in the feet)

• Heart disease, stroke and circulation problems

• Sexual difficulties

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Limb amputations.

“That’s why early diagnosis is important,” shares nib medical advisor Dr Hamish Black. “The earlier the diagnosis, the better, because in the case of type 2 diabetes, something in your lifestyle has probably caused it – and if we can correct that problem, your diabetes can be managed. You really want to get control of the diabetes before complications occur.” 

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

In people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can’t create insulin. This happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, a hormone needed to control blood sugar levels. Without enough insulin, blood sugar levels can get too high causing various health issues. 

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 is the most common form, accounting for 85% of all diabetes.

With type 2 diabetes, one or more of these scenarios may be at play:

• The body doesn’t respond properly to the insulin being produced

• The insulin doesn’t work as it should

• The pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.

There’s also a condition called prediabetes, in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not at type 2 diabetes level. However, if you have this condition, you are 10 to 20 times more likely to go on to develop type 2 diabetes and should be on the lookout for diabetes warning signs.

Related: 9 doctor-approved ways to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes can occur in expectant mums and generally goes away after the baby is born. There are rarely warning signs of gestational diabetes, which is why all pregnant women are screened for it. 

The main early signs of diabetes are the side effects of high sugars, shares Hamish.

“Probably the first things people would notice are that you’re urinating more often and you’re thirstier or drinking more than you used to,” he says.

Other signs you have diabetes may include:

• Feeling tired or lethargic

• Constantly feeling hungry

• Unexplained weight loss (type 1 diabetes)

• Gradual weight gain (type 2 diabetes)

• Cuts that are slow to heal

• Itching or skin infections

• Blurred vision

• Mood swings

• Dizziness

• Leg cramps.

“We do a fasting glucose level and a glycated haemoglobin test, which gives an indication of your blood glucose over the past three months,” explains Hamish. “There’s a range that is diagnostic of diabetes, and there’s a range that’s considered normal – and then there’s something in between.  

"If there is some doubt after the above tests are done, your doctor may order an oral glucose tolerance test. If that’s positive, you’re diabetic," says Hamish.  

“But, if it’s negative, you need to monitor the situation to make sure that if the diagnosis of diabetes comes around, it’s caught early before any damage starts to happen.” 

If you’re experiencing some or all of the above signs, your GP should be your first port of call. You can do this in person or via a telehealth consultation through our health partner hub.health.

While type 1 diabetes is largely managed with insulin-replacement injections or an insulin pump (along with a healthy lifestyle), making lifestyle changes is usually the first step towards managing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, being more physically active and spending less time sitting can all help keep your blood glucose levels in a normal range, make the insulin work more efficiently, reduce your blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease.

However, where lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medication to help control your blood glucose levels. Where lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medication, or conveniently you can have medical scripts delivered to your door, to help control your blood glucose levels.  

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, and the causes aren’t known, but people with a family history of the condition are at higher risk of developing it than those with no familial connection.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in people who are overweight (especially those carrying excess fat around the mid-section), who have very low levels of physical activity and who eat an unhealthy diet.

“Things like family history, obesity, poor diet – and by poor diet, I mean processed foods, high-carbohydrate foods, ice-cream, soft drinks, processed food… they’re all risk factors,” says Hamish.

Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• Prediabetes

• High blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Smoking cigarettes

• Ageing (55 or older)

• Women who are overweight and have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

• Being older than 35 and from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background

• Having had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Living a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes – think: maintaining a healthy weight, moving regularly, eating a balanced diet and not smoking. If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, managing those is also important.

Related: How a diabetes risk test can save your life

Perx Health is available for free* to eligible members who’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Perfect for those who struggle to keep motivated and need some extra support, it includes everything you need to manage your condition in one app with guidance on maintaining your long term health, support in sticking to your medication and information on how to avoid hospital.

Interested in finding out whether you’re eligible or simply keen to get more information? Visit our Health Management Programs page.

If weight management is a concern, arrange a consultation with your GP - either in person or via telehealth.

Our partner, hub.health, provides a range of weight-loss support from consultations through to medication delivered to your door.

Please note: The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.

*Available to eligible nib members who’ve held Hospital Cover for 12 months and served their relevant waiting periods. Additional criteria vary according to each program. Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.