Why am I constantly thirsty, hungry, and losing weight?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been incredibly thirsty lately, drinking water constantly throughout the day but never feeling satisfied, and I am urinating much more frequently than normal. Despite eating regular meals, I am always hungry, but I have lost 12 pounds in the past two months without trying to diet. I feel tired and weak most of the time, and I have noticed that small cuts and scrapes on my hands take much longer to heal than they used to. My vision has been blurry off and on, and both my parents developed diabetes in their 50s, so I am concerned I might have it too.

What are the warning signs of diabetes?
What tests can confirm whether I have this condition?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The symptoms you mentioned are classic of diabetes, and they become even more relevant since both your parents are diabetic. So, I would highly recommend that you get a fasting blood sugar test (ideally done in the morning before eating anything). The second test, postprandial blood sugar, is done two hours after you get your fasting blood sugar done, and the third test, Hemoglobin A1c (glycated hemoglobin), tells you your last three months' sugar levels. Blurred vision and delayed healing are common early complaints that patients often describe even before diagnosis.

I would recommend getting these tests done at the earliest. If diabetes is present, identifying it early makes a major difference. Symptoms usually improve once sugars are controlled, and early treatment greatly reduces the risk of future complications. Your family history is particularly relevant. When one or both parents have developed diabetes, the risk increases significantly with age. In many patients, diabetes develops quietly over years, and symptoms become noticeable only once sugars remain elevated for a period of time.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.