3. Unexplained weight loss
Sudden and unexplained weight loss, especially when you’re not actively trying to lose weight, can be an early indicator that something may be off with your health—potentially an early sign of diabetes. When the body can’t get enough energy from the food you eat, it starts breaking down muscle and fat stores for fuel. This can cause noticeable weight loss even if your eating habits haven’t changed.
In cases of prediabetes or diabetes, this happens because the body cannot efficiently use glucose from food for energy. Insulin, the hormone responsible for helping cells absorb glucose, becomes less effective. As a result, despite increased hunger or food intake, the body can’t access the necessary energy from glucose and turns to fat and muscle reserves instead, leading to weight loss.
This process is compounded by the body’s attempts to eliminate excess sugar through urination, which further contributes to fluid and weight loss. Burning fat and muscle and increased urination can lead to significant, unintended weight loss.
4. Slow healing of wounds and cuts
High blood sugar levels in people with diabetes can interfere with the body’s natural ability to heal wounds, which can be especially dangerous if diabetes is undiagnosed. Elevated blood sugar can damage nerves and vessels, impairing blood circulation. This poor circulation means that vital nutrients and oxygen needed for proper healing are restricted from reaching wounds. As a result, even minor cuts and bruises may take weeks or even months to heal, increasing the risk of infections. When blood sugar levels remain high, it also weakens the immune system, further slowing the healing process and increasing the likelihood of bacterial infections.
If you notice that cuts or wounds are healing slowly, particularly if accompanied by other signs of prediabetes, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider. Slow wound healing is a clear indication that your body may not be managing blood sugar effectively, which is an essential warning sign of prediabetes. Early detection and intervention through lifestyle changes and medical guidance can help manage prediabetes and prevent it from progressing to type 2 diabetes.
5. Dark skin patches
One of the lesser-known yet significant symptoms of prediabetes is the development of darkened patches of skin, particularly in body folds and creases. This condition, known as acanthosis nigricans, is often linked to insulin resistance, a critical factor in both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Acanthosis nigricans appear as velvety, dark patches of skin, commonly found in areas like the neck, armpits, groin, elbows, and knees. These changes occur when high insulin levels in the bloodstream stimulate the rapid growth of skin cells. Excess insulin triggers growth factors in the skin, leading to the thickened, dark patches characteristic of this condition.
6. Poor or blurred Vision
Poor or blurred vision is a common symptom associated with prediabetes and can be an early sign of fluctuating blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are consistently high, they can temporarily alter the shape of the eye’s lens, leading to vision problems. Excess glucose in the bloodstream causes the lens to swell, impacting its ability to focus correctly and resulting in blurred or distorted vision.
The root cause of this symptom lies in the body’s inability to efficiently use glucose, which leads to its accumulation in the blood. The excess sugar draws more fluid into the lens, changing its shape and size, which affects the eye’s focusing power. These vision changes can vary in intensity, corresponding to shifts in blood sugar levels.
