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Symptoms of diabetes
The signs of diabetes are not always dramatic. They
may not even be noticeable. In fact, the American Diabetes Association
(ADA) estimates that millions of Americans have type 2 diabetes and are
not even aware of it.
Watch for these symptoms. If you notice any of the following, ask your
doctor to test you for diabetes.
For TYPE 1:
- Excessive urination
- Constant thirst
For TYPE 2:
- The need to urinate more than usual
- Constant thirst
- Unusual weight loss
- Feeling weak or tired
- Blurred vision
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
- Frequent and recurring infections such as urinary
tract infections, boils, and fungus
- Difficulty with erections in men, and unusual
vaginal dryness in women
- Extreme hunger
- Feeling nauseated and vomiting
Tests to expect
Laboratory diagnostic tests also include measurement or analysis of:
- Ketones in the urine/blood
- Electrolytes
- pH level in the veins
- CBC (complete blood count)
- Islet cell antibodies
- Thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies
- Kidney function tests
- Lipid profile
The importance of a lipid profile
This test measures the level of blood fats in your
blood. People with diabetes are prone to higher levels of blood fats in
their systems -- which puts them at increased risk of heart and blood
vessel disease. You should have these tests done at least once a year.
Your total fasting cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dL. Your levels
of HDL (so-called good fats) should be greater than 35 mg/dL. Your levels
of LDL (bad fats) should be less than 130, and your triglyceride levels
should be under 200 mg/dL. If you have heart or blood vessel disease,
these levels may have to be even lower to prevent more problems.
If your test results don't fall in these ranges,
your physician should be referring you to a dietitian for help with lowering
the overall fat content in your diet, and help in losing weight, if that
is a problem. He/she should also encourage you to begin an exercise program
-- and should recommend an exercise tolerance test before you embark on
an exercise program if you are over age 35 or have any diabetes complications.
If you have any diabetes complications, he/she should be referring you
to an exercise specialist (usually an exercise physiologist). These are
usually the first courses of treatment for a lipid problem. He or she
may also prescribe lipid lowering medications, if you have found that
these changes aren't having the desired effect. 
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