I think I have TYPE 2 but only a couple of symptoms

[RosiePosey33]

Background- my mum was overweight due to various medications she was taking and developed Type 2 diabetes so I think that puts me at more risk?

Over the past 4 years I've put in lots of weight due to bad diet and lack of exercise. I was screened for gestational diabetes while pregnant in 2020 and was fine.

However I think I maybe have developed type 2 now.

My only real symptom, and what made me think this, is a keep developing thrush. I had never had thrush in my life until last year but I put it down to a one off.

This year I had it in July, was showing symptoms again a few weeks ago and the same now.
Other than that I don't pee frequently- I'm fact I hardly pee, I don't drink a lot due to thirst, I don't feel particularly tired (no more so than anyone else with a toddler who doesn't sleep).

I've booked a doctors appointment but can't get one for 3 weeks.

Sorry should have added- recently I've been eating so much food but never feel full really.

You can get diabetes checks at pharmacies if you’re struggling to get a gp appointment.

You need a blood test. Can you request one before seeing the doctor?
It will give an indication on whether you are in the diabetic or pre-diabetic range (if you have Asian heritage the thresholds are lower).
Then you can discuss diabetes or investigate you real health problems with your GP

I told the doctor's receptionist that it was my concern but she didn't advise anything more urgent.

I'll check with my locks pharmacy today but I've never heard of them offering blood tests.

I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago because I bought myself a Freestyle Libre 2 sensor from Amazon (about £50).

I strongly suspected I was diabetic but was stuck in a loop of calling for an appt and there not being any, my surgery doesn't do advance booking, and none of the pharmacies I tried did testing.

The Libre is a round disc with a small thin needle. You get an applicator and just push it onto the back of your arm, it's painless. Then download the app and after an hour of settling in, it starts sending your sugar readings to your phone every minute.

Mine were double what they should be. I ended up calling 111 to see if they could find me anywhere who would do an official diagnoses test and they sent me to A&E because the readings were very very high. You get a graph like the ones attached. I've included day 1 and yesterday to show the difference now I'm on medication and in control of it.

Symptoms to be looking for:

• darkened skin on underarms/groin area kind of velvety in texture
• large waist ratio
• thirst/extreme hunger
• frequent and urgent urination
• tiredness
• thrush

Hmmm won't let me attach the other images, but started out as 9% time in target range and 60% in the 'very high' range, with highs of 20 when results should be under 10.

I asked for a blood test for other reasons. Receptionist didn't even check why. If not, as others have said, try your local pharmacy - if you go down that route and have prediabetes or diabetes, GP will probably see you sooner or refer you to a healthier you programme which can be done with a group or online, alongside a coach.

Could you get yourself a blood glucose monitor while you’re waiting and start doing some readings? You won’t be able to confirm a diagnosis this way but it would give you an idea.

T2DM is reversible with weight loss. It sounds like you’re at risk anyway, so might be worth making some changes. Suggestions for starting places are diabetes.co.uk, low carb program, and Google search Dr David Unwin and Prof Taylor for more info. And of course Michael Moseley, his just one thing podcast is excellent!

Get armed with info and try making some small changes while you wait.

I'm type 2 diabetic- diagnosed in may. I had no symptoms. Was discovered as blood tests for other things.

I would try and book a blood test to check your levels.

@InfoSecInTheCity yeah as I said the only symptom I have is recurring thrush. I am eating a lot but not due to hunger just greed and i didn't feel full

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in January and I didn't have any symptoms (apart from being hugely overweight).

I've had Type 2 Diabetes for the last thirty-five years. I manage it by diet. It took quite a long time to come to terms with it, and how to manage it without having a hypoglycemic episode. I always have some basic carbohydrates in my bag if I'm out anywhere, as I can deteriorate quite quickly and become very dizzy. Be prepared and always have something to eat with you.