What Are the Early Signs of Diabetes?

Early diabetes signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue. These symptoms occur because your body struggles to process glucose effectively, causing blood sugar levels to rise. The American Diabetes Association reports that over 11 million Americans have undiagnosed diabetes, often missing these initial warning signs. Additional early indicators include blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, tingling in hands or feet, and increased hunger despite eating regularly. Many people dismiss these symptoms as stress or aging, but they can occur with diabetes. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes may cause no noticeable symptoms, so a blood test is needed for diagnosis.