Symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop gradually over many years and so many people do not realise that they have the condition. Different people develop different combinations of symptoms. The symptoms below are a direct result of having too much glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia) and not enough in the cells:

• Increased thirst
• Increased passage of urine, especially at night
• Extreme tiredness and lethargy
• Weight loss despite increased appetite
• Genital itching
• Itchy skin rash
• Blurred vision
• Tingling, pain and numbness in feet, legs or hands
• Sore or burning mouth

Over many years the high levels of glucose can also damage other parts of the body including:

• Persistent or recurrent infections, such as oral or genital thrush, skin and urinary tract infections.
• Cataracts, glaucoma and reduced vision leading to possible blindness.
• Signs of microvascular complications such as foot ulcers or loss of sensation in the lower limbs.
• Signs of macrovascular complications such as cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and fatty deposits in the eye lids, peripheral vascular disease or intermittent claudication.
• Reduced renal function or overt kidney disease.