Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms

Not everyone with type 2 diabetes has symptoms, particularly in the early stages of the disease. In fact, one-third of the over 18 million Americans with type 2 diabetes are unaware that they have the disease.¹

Type 2 diabetes symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue, or a feeling of being "run down" and tired
• Rapid breathing
• Blurred vision
• Dry, itchy skin
• Headache
• Tingling or burning pain in the feet, legs, hands, or other parts of the body
• High blood pressure
• Mood swings
• Irritability, depression
• Frequent or recurring infections, such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and skin infections
• Slow healing of cuts and bruises

Unlike type 1 diabetes, which frequently has a sudden onset of symptoms and reaches a crisis point before diagnosis is made, the signs of type 2 diabetes may be gradual and more insidious. Often, the first symptoms that people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes experience are those from complications of the disease, such as blurry vision (retinopathy) or foot pain (neuropathy).

If you’re experiencing any of the type 2 diabetes symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately for medical evaluation.