Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed - Symptoms
Not everyone has symptoms before they find out they have type 2 diabetes. But if you did have symptoms, they may go away when your blood sugar level returns to your target range.
Symptoms of high blood sugar
You may not have any symptoms of type 2 diabetes. That's because your blood sugar levels can rise so slowly over time that you don't notice that anything is wrong. Early symptoms of high blood sugar can include:
- Being very thirsty.
- Urinating a lot.
- Losing weight without trying.
- Having blurry vision.
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One Woman's Story: Gloria, 70 About a year ago, Gloria had trouble reading the numbers on some checks she was filing. She cleaned her glasses and put them back on, but it didn't help. "My eyes were all blurry. It was really scary. My doctor tested me for diabetes. He said that the blurriness means my blood sugar is too high."-Gloria |
The higher your blood sugar rises, the more likely you are to have symptoms. If you have higher-than-normal blood sugar and don't drink enough liquids, you can get dehydrated. This can make you feel dizzy and weak, and it can lead to an emergency called a hyperosmolar state.
Symptoms of low blood sugar
When your blood sugar is too low, it can also cause problems. Low blood sugar can occur suddenly. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:
- Sweating.
- Shakiness.
- Confusion.
- Loss of consciousness.
You're not likely to get low blood sugar unless you take insulin or some kinds of oral medicines for type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms and signs of complications
Some people already have complications of type 2 diabetes when they are diagnosed. That can happen because high blood sugar can creep up over time and cause problems without your knowing it. It's important to know about possible problems and their symptoms, such as:
- Numbness, tingling, burning pain, or swelling in your feet or hands. This could be a sign of diabetic neuropathy. For more information, see the topic Diabetic Neuropathy.
- Blurry or spotty vision or seeing flashes. This may be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. For more information, see the topic Diabetic Retinopathy.
- Cuts or sores that won't heal or that look infected. This could mean damage to blood vessels.
- Chest pain or shortness of breath. This may be a sign of heart disease or blood vessel problems (macrovascular disease).
If you have kidney damage, you may not notice symptoms. Early damage to your kidneys can only be found by urine tests for protein.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

