You can feel completely fine and still have type 2 diabetes developing quietly in the background. You may not be unusually thirsty, constantly tired, or experiencing anything that makes you think, “Something isn’t right.” That can make it easy to assume there is nothing to worry about.
The difficult part is that type 2 diabetes does not always announce itself with obvious symptoms. Blood glucose can remain higher than it should be for months or even years before noticeable signs appear. By the time symptoms become harder to ignore, high blood sugar may already be affecting the blood vessels, nerves and other parts of the body.
That is why knowing the early signs of type 2 diabetes and understanding who should get tested matters—even when you feel well. In this guide, we’ll look at the symptoms to watch for, the risk factors that can increase your chance of developing type 2 diabetes, and when a blood glucose test may be worth discussing with a GP.
Around 1.3 million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes, with an estimated 500,000 more living with it, but they don’t know about it yet.
The important question, then, isn’t only whether you have symptoms. It’s whether your symptoms and risk factors suggest you should be checked. In Australia, screening recommendations consider both.
Key Highlights
- Type 2 diabetes can develop without noticeable symptoms for years.
- Early signs such as thirst, frequent urination and tiredness are easy to dismiss.
- Your risk depends on more than weight or family history.
- Some Australians should be screened even if they feel well.
- AUSDRISK estimates your risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next five years.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body doesn’t use insulin well, so glucose builds up in the blood (hyperglycemia). For how it differs from type 1, see the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes, this process doesn’t work as well as it should. Your cells become less sensitive to insulin, so glucose has more difficulty moving into them. The pancreas may also gradually produce less insulin. As a result, too much glucose can remain in the bloodstream, raising blood glucose levels. Learn more about normal, high, and low blood sugar readings in our guide to blood sugar levels in diabetes.
Early Signs of Type 2 Diabetes
Common early signs
Increased thirst. An ongoing, strong thirst even after drinking can be a sign of high blood glucose.
Frequent urination. When glucose is high, the kidneys pass the extra out in urine, so you may need to go more often, including at night.
Ongoing tiredness. Tiredness is common and not specific to diabetes. If it persists despite enough sleep, it’s worth raising with a GP, because your body may not be using glucose efficiently.
Increased hunger. When glucose can’t move into cells effectively, you may feel hungry even after eating.
Blurred vision. High blood glucose can temporarily change how your eyes focus. This may improve when levels come down. Over time, diabetes can also damage the small blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy).
Signs that are less specific or can appear later
Slow-healing cuts and sores. Diabetes can affect blood vessels and immune function, so small wounds may take longer to heal.
Recurring infections. Skin, urinary tract or genital infections may happen more often when blood glucose stays high.
Tingling or numbness. Tingling, numbness or burning in the hands or feet can occur when diabetes affects the nerves. It is more closely linked to nerve damage than to an early symptom.
Unexplained weight loss. Losing weight without changing your diet or activity can happen when the body uses stored fat and muscle for energy. It has many possible causes, so it needs medical assessment.
Dark, velvety patches of skin. Patches on the neck, armpits or groin can be acanthosis nigricans, a skin change linked to insulin resistance. It can appear before or alongside type 2 diabetes.
Can You Have Type 2 Diabetes Without Symptoms?
Yes, this is one of the most important things to understand about type 2 diabetes. Healthdirect notes that most people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms in the early stages.
That means waiting until you feel noticeably unwell is not a reliable way to decide whether you need screening.
For example, someone may have no increased thirst, blurred vision or obvious fatigue but still have risk factors that make screening appropriate. In Australia, adults are advised to have their risk of type 2 diabetes checked regularly, even if they have no symptoms.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?
Risk usually comes from several factors together. Important ones include:
- Age 40 or older
- A parent, brother or sister with diabetes
- Higher body weight or waist measurement
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diets high in highly processed foods, added sugars and unhealthy fats
- Previous gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Previous heart attack or stroke
- Some medicines used to treat psychosis
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, Chinese or Indian subcontinent backgrounds
The AIHW lists physical inactivity, dietary risks and smoking as behavioural risk factors, alongside biomedical factors such as high blood pressure and impaired glucose regulation ([AIHW]). Family history, age, ethnicity and past health conditions also contribute.
Who Should Get Tested for Type 2 Diabetes in Australia?
In Australia, diabetes screening takes a risk-based approach.
- Most adults: Healthdirect recommends checking your risk every three years from age 40 with a tool such as AUSDRISK ([Healthdirect]).
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people: a screening blood test every year from age 18. AUSDRISK can underestimate risk in these communities, which is why a blood test is recommended instead of the questionnaire.
- Higher risk regardless of AUSDRISK score: people aged 40 or over who are overweight, or who have had a heart attack or stroke, gestational diabetes or PCOS, take medicines for psychosis, or belong to certain higher-risk groups.
What Is AUSDRISK?
AUSDRISK is a short questionnaire that estimates your risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next five years. It considers factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, family history, blood pressure, smoking, diet, physical activity and waist measurement.
A score of 12 or more indicates high risk. Importantly, AUSDRISK is a risk assessment tool, not a diagnosis. A high score does not mean you currently have diabetes. It indicates that you may need further assessment or screening.
How Do You Know If You Have Type 2 Diabetes?
Symptoms can suggest that diabetes should be investigated, but they cannot confirm the diagnosis.
If your GP thinks diabetes may be a possibility, they will consider your symptoms, medical and family history and arrange appropriate blood glucose testing. Tests can include fasting blood glucose, HbA1c or other tests depending on the situation.
A home glucose meter is different from a diagnostic assessment. A finger-prick glucose measurement may be used by a health professional when someone is unwell, but a home reading should not be treated as a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
If you’re concerned about whether a blood glucose reading is unusually high or low, see our guide on diabetes levels of Sugar: When to See a Diabetes Doctor in Australia
When Should You See a GP?
Make an appointment if:
- You have one or more symptoms that persist or can’t be explained
- You have several diabetes risk factors
- You haven’t had a recommended risk assessment or screening test
- You’ve had a high AUSDRISK result
- You notice unexplained weight loss, recurring infections or changes in vision
You don’t need to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking advice.
If you are acutely unwell or have severe symptoms, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Healthdirect advises prompt medical assessment when diabetes symptoms occur with significant illness. A GP can assess your symptoms, discuss diabetes treatment and management options, and arrange appropriate testing where needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are the First Signs of Type 2 Diabetes?
Common signs include increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, increased hunger and blurred vision. Some people may also experience slow-healing wounds or recurring infections.
Should I be tested for diabetes if I'm under 40?
Possibly. Routine risk checks start at 40 for most adults, but some people are treated as higher risk at any age, for example after gestational diabetes or with PCOS. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are advised to have a yearly blood test from 18. A GP can advise based on your history.
Can You Have Type 2 Diabetes Without Symptoms?
Yes. Type 2 diabetes can develop without noticeable symptoms, particularly in its early stages. Some people only discover they have diabetes after a blood test or screening. This is why people with relevant risk factors may need regular diabetes risk assessment even when they feel well.
What's the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, usually appearing suddenly in children or young adults and always requiring insulin. Type 2 diabetes develops gradually, usually in adults, and involves the body’s cells becoming resistant to insulin combined with the pancreas producing less of it over time. Type 2 is far more common and is more strongly linked to modifiable risk factors such as weight, activity levels and diet, though genetics and age also play a significant role.
What is prediabetes, and how is it different from type 2 diabetes?
Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to meet the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. It includes impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and raised HbA1c, and around one in three people with prediabetes goes on to develop type 2 diabetes within ten years. Prediabetes is considered a warning stage — lifestyle changes at this point can often prevent or delay progression to full type 2 diabetes.
What blood test results indicate prediabetes or diabetes?
In Australia, a fasting glucose level between 6.1 and 6.9 mmol/L is classified as impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes), while a fasting glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or above indicates diabetes, generally confirmed with a repeat test. For HbA1c, a result of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or higher is consistent with a diabetes diagnosis, and in people without typical symptoms, this usually needs to be confirmed with a second positive test before diabetes is diagnosed. These numbers are for context only — a GP interprets results alongside your symptoms and history.
Is type 2 diabetes reversible?
Type 2 diabetes is not considered permanently cured, but some people can achieve remission, meaning their HbA1c returns to below 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) for at least three months without glucose-lowering medication. Remission is more likely for some people, particularly after significant and sustained weight loss, but it is not guaranteed, and diabetes can return. For a detailed explanation of type 2 diabetes remission, including what remission means, how weight loss may help, and what monitoring is needed afterwards, see our guide to type 2 diabetes remission. Ongoing HbA1c monitoring is recommended even after remission.
Can children or young adults develop type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes was once considered a condition of middle and older age, but it’s increasingly diagnosed in children, teenagers and young adults, particularly those with obesity, a strong family history, or from population groups at higher genetic risk. Symptoms in younger people are similar to those in adults, though the condition can sometimes progress differently and may be mistaken for type 1 diabetes at first, so accurate testing is important.
Do symptoms of type 2 diabetes look different in men and women?
The core symptoms — thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision — are the same across sexes, but some signs can present differently. Women may experience recurrent vaginal thrush or urinary tract infections as an early clue, while men may notice reduced sexual function linked to nerve or blood vessel changes. These differences are additional possible signs, not replacements for the more common symptoms.
How often should I redo the AUSDRISK check if my score is low?
AUSDRISK estimates risk over the next five years, so a low score doesn’t mean risk stays low indefinitely — age, weight, blood pressure and activity levels can all shift over time. Repeating it every few years, or sooner if your circumstances change (such as significant weight gain, a new diagnosis of high blood pressure, or a family member being diagnosed with diabetes), keeps the assessment relevant to your current risk rather than relying on an outdated result.
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes does not always announce itself clearly. Some people notice thirst, frequent urination or tiredness, while others have no obvious symptoms at all. Knowing your risk and keeping up with recommended screening can therefore be just as important as recognising symptoms.
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms or risk factors warrant testing, a GP can assess your situation and arrange the next step. HelloGP can help you access a GP consultation online when an in-person appointment isn’t practical.
HelloGP - Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Telehealth is not suitable for emergencies. If you have an emergency or are at immediate risk, call 000 or visit your nearest emergency department.