Common Symptoms and Warning Signs of Prediabetes
Prediabetes doesn’t always produce any immediate signs or symptoms, making it difficult to detect. That’s why an estimated 8 out of 10 people with prediabetes don’t even know they have it. However, people with prediabetes may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination and Increased Thirst
Excess glucose in the blood can lead to frequent urination in people with prediabetes. As blood glucose levels increase, the kidneys have to work harder to filter it out. Extra glucose is then excreted into the urine, which pulls extra fluids from other tissues in the body and causes dehydration. People with prediabetes often drink more fluids to combat dehydration and have to urinate more often as a result.
Increased Hunger
After you eat, carbohydrates from food are broken down into glucose, the body’s main energy source. Insulin then helps glucose enter the body’s cells to provide energy. However, people with prediabetes may not have enough insulin to absorb glucose properly. This can lead to increased hunger as their bodies attempt to make up for the deficit.
Slow-Healing Wounds
Wounds that take longer to heal are a common sign of prediabetes and diabetes. High blood glucose levels can impair blood flow, which impacts the natural healing process. This can lead to slower-healing wounds and more frequent infections in people with prediabetes.
Blurred Vision
Over time, high blood glucose levels can lead to blurred vision and vision loss. High blood glucose levels can cause the body to pull moisture from tissues, including the lenses of the eyes. This can make it more difficult for the eyes to focus and will make objects appear blurry.
Fatigue
Glucose is one of the body’s main sources of energy. If you have prediabetes, your body may not be able to process gluten properly and impact your energy levels. Fatigue is also a common symptom of dehydration. People who are frequently dehydrated due to high blood glucose levels might feel tired and run down—even after drinking fluids.
Tingling in the Hands and Feet
Prediabetes can increase the risk of developing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a type of nerve damage that often affects the feet, hands, and legs. Tingling and numbness in these areas are one of the most common symptoms of DPN. While DPN is most common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it’s possible for symptoms to present in people with prediabetes as well.
Acanthosis Nigricans
Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition that causes dark, velvety patches to appear on the skin in the neck, armpit, and groin areas. This condition is caused by increased insulin in the blood and can be a sign of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
