Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms

Nearly 64,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year. Recognizing the signs of type 1 diabetes is important because treatments can help prevent serious health problems.

Read on to learn the common signs of type 1 diabetes and when to see your health care provider.

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

Although the signs of type 1 diabetes can begin to show early, they can be different from person to person, and it may take a while to recognize the symptoms. Because of this, it might seem like the signs and symptoms appear suddenly when they’ve really been building over time. 

That’s why it is important to pay attention when your body might be telling you something.

The four most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes to remember are the 4 Ts:

• Thirst: You are incredibly thirsty and unable to quench your thirst.
• Toilet: You pee more often, even through the night. Children who used to stay dry overnight might wet the bed, or babies might have heavier diapers.
• Tired: You have no energy and feel weak or very tired.
• Thinner: Despite eating normally or even more than usual, you rapidly lose weight.

The 4Ts are the most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes, but there are also other signs. These include:

• Increased hunger: Because your body cannot use glucose properly, you might feel hungry – even after a full meal.
• Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can cause changes in the shape of the lens of the eye, leading to blurry vision.
• Mood swings: Your blood sugar levels can affect how you feel and can trigger mood changes.
• Shakiness or tremors: Feeling shaky or experiencing tremors is common when your blood sugar is low.
• Slow-healing sores: When blood sugar levels are too high in diabetes, it can cause problems with blood circulation, weaken your immune system, damage nerves and affect your body’s ability to heal cuts, scrapes and sores.
• Infections: When you have diabetes, you may have more foot infections, yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

If you have any of these signs, see your health care provider to check your blood sugar levels and rule out diabetes. Early diagnosis is very important for your overall health. 

What are the complications of type 1 diabetes?

If left uncontrolled, type 1 diabetes can lead to many complications affecting different parts of the body, such as:

• Heart and vascular (blood vessel) disease
• Kidney and liver disease
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Eye damage, such as cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy
• Skin conditions, such as bacterial and fungal infections
• Pregnancy complications

It’s important to note that following a diabetes care plan can significantly reduce your risk of health problems. 

When should you seek emergency care?

Untreated type 1 diabetes may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), other severe symptoms and even death.

It’s important to call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately if you have any of these problems: 

• Ongoing vomiting
• Severe stomach pain
• Rapid or labored breathing 
• Increased heart rate
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Fruity-smelling or acetone (nail polish remover)-smelling breath
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Seizures

If in doubt about these symptoms, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and call 911 or go to the emergency room (ER). Responding quickly in these situations may save your life.

Next step: Get diagnosed and learn how to manage your diabetes.