To think I could have diabetes?

[ShittyFingers]

Obviously I know nobody can diagnose me on here, just wanting to chat about it before I ask for blood tests.

So - last blood test (about 4 months ago) just showed that I was anaemic.

Since then … past few months I’ve been thirsty constantly - and I don’t mean I just fancy more cups of tea, I mean my mouth is so dry I feel totally dehydrated. I’m drinking tons of bottled water (refilling with tap water before anyone starts).
Obviously I’m peeing a lot more too.

I’ve lost nearly a stone in weight whilst still eating biscuits, crisps, takeaways etc - I have gone teetotal after being binge drinking beer 4 days a week so that could be contributing to weight loss but not this much surely …

I keep going light headed and keep getting headaches. Visual disturbances (like the room suddenly feeling like it’s shaking)

I’m ridiculously fatigued - barely left the sofa yesterday and I’m so irritable.

My grandmother has diabetes.

I’m not overweight. I’m 40.

YABU - not diabetes, give your head a wobble, get your ducks in a row and leave the bastard.
YANBU - yep, sounds a lot like diabetes! Congrats OP!

Yep, those are pretty classic symptoms. Sudden onset could be type 1 rather than type 2.

I mean, type 2 is more associated with age and obesity. Type 1 can happen to anyone.

Ask your GP for some blood tests. Something isn’t right and you need some kind of treatment.

Get tested. You can have simple blood sugar done at a pharmacy. Have it done first thing in the morning before you eat or drink (fasting) the pharmacist will be able to tell you if your blood sugar is high.
It is important to have it checked asap since undiagnosed type 1 diabetes is dangerous, type 2 has a longer onset.
If diabetes is ruled out make an appointment with GP, make sure they are aware of sudden weight loss. Write down all your symptoms so you don’t forget anything.

With those symptoms could be Type 1. (Sound similar to mine especially the dry mouth and constant thirst). Drs can dipstick your urine and tell you immediately if so and will send you straight to the hospital. 40 is quite late for a T1 diagnosis but not unheard of.

@Brac

I mean, type 2 is more associated with age and obesity. Type 1 can happen to anyone.

Actually that's not correct. Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic component so although age and obesity are factors, genetics are a significant risk factor. Noone can tell you on here OP. You need to see your GP for tests and asap. It could be many things. The unexplained weight loss is concerning.

Sounds like potential T1 diabetes to me! I was diagnosed with T1 at age 33. Had exactly the same symptoms as you're describing, plus severe lethargy. Luckily went to the GPs pretty quickly to get it checked out, they did a fingerprick test which came out at 25.8mmol and sent me straight to hospital. Came home that evening with a bag full of insulin and 4 injections per day.

You need to get seen by the doctor first thing in the morning, however, without wishing to be alarmist, I would actually suggest that you might want to get a blood glucose monitor from the local pharmacy this morning (around £10-20) and check yourself. If it's anything in double figures get yourself to a&e or OOH as you could quite rapidly fall in to DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) which can be catastrophic.

To add to that, with regards DKA, if you start vomiting, have stomach cramps, or rapid shallow breathing, please go strait to A&E.

Have you noticed an acetone /peardrops smell on your breath?

*straight 🙄

Go get tested asap.

@DoorbellsSleighbellsSchnitzel

To add to that, with regards DKA, if you start vomiting, have stomach cramps, or rapid shallow breathing, please go strait to A&E.

Have you noticed an acetone /peardrops smell on your breath?

I feel like my breath stinks because I’m so dry. I do feel like my breathing is more noticeable and my heartbeat - some palpitations but that could be the anaemia.

Really dry skin too

Is there a reason you haven't called your Dr? A few months is a long time to have symptoms like this without getting checked out.

I think your best option right now, is to call 111, or your local Out Of Hours number, describe all of your symptoms and that you're worried about possible diabetes, and then hopefully get seen today.

I’ve not called doctor as it’s impossible to get an appointment and I’ve given up with them … plus these symptoms were pretty subtle at first, it was only when I came down with the migraine from hell on Friday that I started to piece things together. I felt really ill last night, my right hand was cold and tingling. To be honest I’ve felt like I have Covid these past few days. (Negative tests)

@Brac

I mean, type 2 is more associated with age and obesity. Type 1 can happen to anyone.

Actually type 2 can happen to anyone as well. It has a high correlation with weight but there are definitely people who develop type 2 diabetes without ever having been overweight.

Op you definitely need to get medical attention, and quite urgently by the sound of your symptoms

To be honest I’ve felt like I have Covid these past few days. (Negative tests)

Have you done a PCR?

Do an consult for your GP. That way they can just do a blood form for you to book a blood test.
econsult.net/nhs-patients

Not done a PCR as I only had Covid in December so it will still test positive either way

In relation to DKA try and see if someone else can smell acetone/pear drops on you. DP is type 1 and has DKA's quite often due to diabetes related gastric issues which means his insulin sometimes doesn't absorb. I'm always the first to smell it (maybe helps that his 'smell' is acetone') but believe me it's a very noticeable smell- to the point where I now can't walk past a nail bar without feeling sick because the smell just reminds me of that! If type 2 runs in the family it may be that, all the women in my family have had type 2 diagnosed in their 40's so I'd be calling the GP or nip you pharmacy, not sure where you are but the pharmacies around me do actually do blood sugar checks for type 2 without you having to buy a machine

@ShittyFingers

Not done a PCR as I only had Covid in December so it will still test positive either way

That's not necessarily true. I'm part of the ONS study and PCR was back negative in a week or so after having covid

Thinking about it I’ve had a lot of kidney pain too, not bad pain but aching, especially on the right side.

Just getting ready to go to pharmacy now

Definitely could be diabetes. I had the unquenchable thirst and fatigue a few years back and was convinced I had diabetes as it’s in my family. Went to the GP for blood tests and I had a B12 deficiency and underactive thyroid. Once medicated for both the thirst went. So there are other things which cause those symptoms. The weight loss could be related but also could be cutting out the booze!

You need to get to a clinic asap and get a blood test, finger prick for a diagnosis. Your symptoms of thirst is a sign of large amounts of glucose in your blood stream and the thirst is your body trying to dilute the sugar. Dry mouth is a sign of hyperglycaemia.

You need help from a health care professional asap, don't delay. They need to test blood and urine and do lab bloods too.

I have been a diabetic on insulin for nearly 40 years, I know the symptoms like the back of my hand.

Good luck.

Did forget to mention about the weight loss. Before the first lockdown I use to drink 3 or 4 cans of lager a night, stopped this during lockdown and lost 3 stone without actually changing my diet so that could be the reason for that. If you work it out its something like 500/600 calories a can so easily adds up without even realising!

Type one diagnosed at 33. Go toa walk in today if I were you

Type 2 here, diagnosed at 32 when I was verging on underweight.
Good luck with the testing!