Symptoms That Imitate Diabetes

Due to certain similarities, there are many symptoms that are confused with diabetes. If you begin to have symptoms that resemble diabetes, don't assume you have the disease. Instead, look to see if there are other illnesses that may be more likely.

Commonly mistaken and shared symptoms

• Many symptoms of diabetes are due to other problems, such as hypertension, pancreatic problems or pituitary gland disorders.

Look-a-Likes

• Obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol may be thought to be due to diabetes, although they are more directly related to a metabolic syndrome known as Syndrome X. Unusual weight loss or weight gain is more often caused by thyroid disorders or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Pituitary Disorder

• Problems with blood sugar level, leg cramps at night, fatigue, headache, irritability and other diabetes-like symptoms can also be a sign of a pituitary disorder.

Other Possibilities

• Diabetes is often mistaken when the actual problem could actually be acute or chronic pancreatitis, Cushing's Syndrome, fibromyalgia, hypothyrodism or even an impaired glucose tolerance.

Symptom Confusion

• Hormonal, endocrine and pancreatic problems result in many of commonly observed diabetic symptoms.

Problems with Imposter Symptoms

• When an incorrect diagnosis is made, other potential problems may be missed that may be even more hazardous to a person's health.