Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes Not Shown in Blood Tests

A diagnosis of diabetes can be made only after blood tests have shown excessive amounts of glucose in the bloodstream, but there are other signs and symptoms of diabetes that do not require a blood test to observe.

• The signs and symptoms of diabetes can appear even without blood testing

Blurry Vision

• The Mayo Clinic indicates that a high level of glucose in the blood causes tissues to lose some of their fluids. This loss of fluid makes it difficult for the lenses of your eyes to focus properly.

Frequent Urination

• When the body builds up glucose in the blood, the body uses every available means to flush it out in order to protect itself. Some of the fluid withdrawn from the body's tissues is used to increase urine production to eliminate excess glucose.

Increased Thirst

• The body becomes dehydrated as it loses fluid to deal with the rise in glucose. This translates as increased thirst.

Unexpected Weight Loss

• In diabetics, cells do not properly respond to insulin and absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This lack of glucose usage causes unexpected weight loss, sometimes rapidly.

Excessive Hunger

• The calories lost through the urine and the body's inability to utilize glucose properly makes the body think it is starving.

Slow Healing

• According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetics tend to have more frequent sores and infections. It is not currently known why.