How to determine if you have diabetes

Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
Updated on February 16, 2025
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If a patient experiences significant symptoms of dry mouth, excessive thirst, increased urination with more foamy urine, increased appetite, but an unexplained weight loss, known as the "three polys and one low" symptoms, it is necessary to monitor fasting blood glucose. If the fasting blood glucose exceeds 7.0 mmol/L or the blood glucose two hours after a meal exceeds 11.1 mmol/L, or if there are no clear "three polys and one low" symptoms but random blood glucose levels exceed 11.1 mmol/L on two occasions, a diagnosis of diabetes can be confirmed.

At the same time, it is essential to rule out secondary effects on blood sugar levels caused by infections, trauma, or the use of steroid medications. It is also recommended that the patient undergo tests for glycated hemoglobin, as well as insulin and C-peptide release tests, to further clarify the diagnosis.

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Where does diabetes cause weight loss first?

Diabetes is a disease caused by elevated blood sugar levels, leading to metabolic disorders of proteins and fats within the body. Early-stage diabetes patients sometimes show no symptoms, while others may experience symptoms such as thirst, frequent drinking, frequent urination, increased appetite, and weight loss. This weight loss manifests as a general decrease in body weight; depending on individual constitution, some may lose 5 kilograms in a month, others may lose 10 kilograms, and in severe cases, some may lose up to 20 kilograms. This is a uniform weight decrease across the whole body, not just slimming of the arms or exclusively losing weight in other specific parts of the body, or just the face. Therefore, in addition to weight loss, patients may also suffer from fatigue, hunger, and dizziness. It is crucial to promptly test their blood sugar levels, diagnose diabetes as early as possible, and prevent the occurrence of chronic complications.

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Diabetic foot ulcer precursors

Diabetic foot, also known as diabetic foot disease, is a very serious complication among endocrine disorders in diabetes, with the most severe consequence being foot ulceration that cannot heal, leading to amputation, and even causing sepsis. Diabetic foot does not occur without reason; there are many warning signs before its occurrence. For example, the affected foot feels cold, it is painful to walk, and there are abnormal sensations. These signs are actually telling you that the blood vessels and nerves in the foot are already affected. Once any abnormal sensation is noticed, it is essential to seek medical attention at a hospital, and it is crucial to provide early and proactive treatment to nourish the nerves and improve circulation in order to prevent diabetic foot.

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Can people with diabetes eat watermelon?

People with diabetes should avoid watermelon as it contains a high amount of sugar, which might exacerbate their condition and lead to complications, adversely affecting their health. Many cases of diabetes are associated with poor dietary habits, such as frequently consuming high-sugar and fried foods, which can lead to symptoms like excessive eating, drinking, urination, and weight loss. For those with mild symptoms, dietary therapy can help alleviate symptoms by adopting a low-salt and low-fat diet, coupled with aerobic exercises to aid recovery. If treatment results are not satisfactory, it may be necessary to take hypoglycemic drugs under a doctor's guidance. It is also important to develop a habit of regularly monitoring blood sugar levels to keep them within a normal range. During stable periods of the condition, choosing fruits with lower sugar content, such as figs, apples, or grapefruit, is advisable.

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Diabetic foot ulcer precursor

Diabetic foot, as we discuss in medical terms, refers to patients with a history of diabetes who, due to poor blood sugar control, experience various complications such as the narrowing of arteries in the lower limbs, insufficient blood and oxygen supply, and neuropathy, which results in insensitivity to temperature and pain, making them prone to burns or other injuries. Additionally, diabetic patients have compromised immune systems, making them susceptible to infections. When these three factors combine, it easily leads to diabetic foot, which is also the precursor to what is colloquially known as "rotten foot" in diabetes.

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Gestational diabetes symptoms

During pregnancy, there are two scenarios concerning diabetes: one is where diabetes is diagnosed before pregnancy, referred to as pregestational diabetes combined with pregnancy. The other scenario is where the sugar metabolism is normal before pregnancy, or there is an underlying reduced glucose tolerance, and diabetes appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes. Over 80% of diabetic pregnant women have gestational diabetes. Typically, gestational diabetes doesn't show clear symptoms of the classic "three polys and one less" - excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Some women with gestational diabetes may experience itching of the vulva, caused by repeated infections with Candida albicans. Additionally, gestational diabetes may lead to conditions like fetal macrosomia and polyhydramnios during pregnancy, and pregnant women with gestational diabetes are more prone to infections.