Is there a possibility that I have diabetes, or am I over reacting?
So, for a while now, I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night, thirsty. Not like, "Gee, my mouth is dry" but like, "I’m really thirsty. I feel like I haven’t had anything to drink in days." I decided to do some research online, to see if I could figure out why I was so thirsty. I don’t know how I came upon it, but I started to look at the symptoms of diabetes. I’m not sure which type I would be more likely to have, but I’m slightly concerned.
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Type 1 Diabetes
The symptoms of type1 diabetes are:
* Frequent Urination
* Unusual thirst
* Extreme hunger
* Usual weight loss or gain
* Extreme fatigue
* Irritability
-I haven’t noticed that I pee all that often, but I don’t really pay attention. I’ve been experiencing a lot of thirst. My hunger goes up and down, sometimes I’m really hungry, sometimes I can’t be bothered to eat at all. My weight never changes within five pounds from the usual. As for fatigue, I am tired. All the time. Even when I get a full night of sleep, I still find myself dozing off during the day. I usually end up taking an involuntary nap 5/7 days a week. My parents always tell me that I’m a grump.
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Type 2 Diabetes
In addition to all the symptoms for type 1 diabetes, symptoms for type 2 diabetes include:
* Frequent infections
* Blurred vision
* Slow to heal cuts or bruises
* Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
* Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
-I rarely get infections. My vision is terrible, I’ve always assumed it was because I needed glasses. It’s very blurry, and people are always surprised at the short distance it takes for me to not be able to read something. My cuts and bruises take forever to heal, my mother is inclined to think that it may be anemia or some other kind of blood problem, because I bruise and get cut so easily. Sometimes my extremities go tingly. There’s a history of bad circulation in my family. My dad’s hands go numb sometimes, and so do my aunts. There’s also a history of restless leg syndrome in my family and I experience that from time to time. I believe I have bad circulation, because my fingers and feet are always so cold. Many times, people have been shocked at how cold my hands are. My arm/leg/hand/foot falls asleep somewhat frequently, especially if I’m laying sideways with my arm and elbow bent to prop me up or support my head. I don’t get skin, gum, or bladder infections though.
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I’m not sure if I am at a potential risk for either, because I’m still on the young side. Or maybe I’m just imagining it. I do know that diabetes is definitely in my gene pool though. Three out of four of my grandparents have it, though my mother, father, and brother do not. (yet?)
I’d say my weight is about normal. I’m five foot three and weight approximately 125 pounds.
I don’t think I eat excessive amounts of salt, no pizza, chips, pretzels, or even all that much junk food. When I eat junk food, it’s usually sugary, not salty. I don’t add salt to my food either.
I’ll admit, I haven’t been to the doctor in a while.
But I was wondering if I could have ‘gotten’ diabetes since I was younger?
I don’t know if I was ever tested for it, but if I was, then it obviously came out negative. Is it possible to develop over time, even though I’m not an adult yet, much less middle aged?
It’s worth the effort to find out. There are some blood tests your doctor can run to find out – I would recommend asking for a ‘glucose intolerance test’ – which would check not only your fasting blood sugar, but how your body responds to sugar. This would help to determine both types of diabetes and hypoglycemia. You might also have your thyroid checked at the same time. Good luck!
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December 27th, 2009 at 3:40 am
If you are drinking lots but not urinating more frequently it is more likely that you are just dehydrated and your body is telling you you’re thirsty because you’re lacking in water!
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December 27th, 2009 at 4:14 am
YOur concerns are valid and you might want to go see your family doctor. Test for diabetes are pretty simple. On the other hand- have you been eating food that may have a lot of salt or sodium like chips, pizza, canned soups, etc. Try not to get too tweaked out and make sure your weight is in the normal range. Obesity can trigger type 2 diabetes
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nurse.
December 27th, 2009 at 4:45 am
I am a diabetic.. No one in my family has it..they say it skips a generation ..my uncles had it. so now my brother and I have it.
I noticed 1 day I was soooo thirsty and drinking everything i could find every 15 minutes. I went to my doctor and they drew blood and sent it out to be tested. Lucky I went..My blood sugar was 325..Listen to NO ONE..Go to your doctor.it’s worth getting tested and find out..instead of guessing and listening to people on here.
It could be nothing also
I was started on pills, after ayear I was tired a lot and gained weight, so I finally had to go on shots… I heard all kinds of horror stories, but you know it’s not that bad.. the needles are very thin now and small.
Please just go to your doctor and stop guessing.
Good Luck.
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I was 15 when I was tested for diabetes and I had it..I am now 29 and it is my daily life to watch what I eat and take good care of myself. This is MY life and it’s a good one..it’s just another part of my life and I am single. I am 5’3 and weigh 110…I walk everyday also. Nothing in my life has changed. I go every 6 months to the doctor for a reg. exam.
December 27th, 2009 at 4:50 am
It’s worth the effort to find out. There are some blood tests your doctor can run to find out – I would recommend asking for a ‘glucose intolerance test’ – which would check not only your fasting blood sugar, but how your body responds to sugar. This would help to determine both types of diabetes and hypoglycemia. You might also have your thyroid checked at the same time. Good luck!
References :
December 27th, 2009 at 5:00 am
It’s good that you’re looking into your health, especially at signs for illnesses that can definitely have a large impact on your life such as Diabetes.
As for your concerns, the best way to get a positive and complete answer would be to talk to your doctor and get a test for Diabetes. It’s a very easy and simple test, so it won’t be too much of a hassle. A lot of the symptoms that you are feeling do sound like symptoms of Diabetes, but the symptom about your thirst only mentions that you get extreme thirst when you sleep. Sleep is the one time when most people’s bodies get dehydrated, so if you only become thirsty during your sleep, it might not necessarily be due to Diabetes. Your extreme fatigue may also be indicators of other illnesses though, not just Diabetes. Have you looked into your fatigue with a professional?
You did mention that Diabetes occurs in your family. One thing about Type 1 Diabetes is that it is hereditary and there are frequent patterns that it occurs in every OTHER generation (maybe that’s why your parents don’t show signs). Type 1 is a genetic disease, and usually, parents who don’t have active signs of Diabetes are carriers of the gene. You didn’t mention which type of Diabetes your grandparents have, so I don’t know whether you’d be prone to getting Type 1 Diabetes or not. Do your grandparents have Type 1 or Type 2? You’re also young, so if you are concerned about Diabetes, you don’t have to be concerned about Type 2 unless you are overweight or have a really bad diet, which you stated that you don’t and that you’re not overweight. It takes a lot of bad habits and bad food for a young person to gain Type 2. You can only "develop" Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 is something you’re born with so if you were tested earlier and received a negative, then you probably don’t have Diabetes.
Again, the best answer is to talk to your doctor, but I hope some of the things I’ve told you give you a little bit more insight.
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December 27th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Stop worrying and go get tested. That’s the only way to know for sure.
Ask for an HbA1c test.
Write down your symptoms and tell them to your doctor.
While you’re there, ask for a thyroid function test too, because some of your symptoms indicate that you may have a problem.
Another test you may need is for iron deficency anemia.
Good luck!
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experience
December 27th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Go to your doctor and find out. He will know for sure. You do have symptons but he will know.
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February 24th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
So did you check it out with the doc? Do u have diabetes or not?