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Why some people do not have symptoms of type 2 diabetes

It is not clear why some people have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, and fatigue, before diagnosis and others do not. Some possible explanations are:

  • In type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels rise gradually over years. If the symptoms are mild, the person may not notice them.
  • People with type 2 diabetes often have complications from the disease at the time of diagnosis. It may be that there is a range of blood sugar levels within which complications arise, but the levels aren't high enough to cause symptoms.
  • People differ in their awareness of symptoms.
Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Matthew I. Kim, MD
- Endocrinology & Metabolism
Last Updated July 11, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 11, 2006
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