Page saved! You can go back to this later in your Diabetes and MeClose
Type 1 diabetes symptoms
It's important to know the symptoms of type 1 diabetes. If you spot any signs of type 1 diabetes in yourself or your family or friends, see a doctor immediately.
Toilet – going for a wee more often, especially at night.
Thirsty – being constantly thirsty and not being able to quench it.
Tired – being incredibly tired and having no energy.
Thinner – losing weight without trying to, or looking thinner than usual.
The 4Ts are the most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes but there are other symptoms to look out for too.
Genital itching or thrush can be symptoms too, as can cuts and wounds that take longer to heal, increased hunger and blurry eyesight. There might also be changes in behaviour like feeling more irritable. These can all be signs of type 2 diabetes too. Watch our symptoms of diabetes video to find out more.
No individual is the same. You may also experience other symptoms and the symptoms you may have might not exactly match those of another person.
If type 1 diabetes is left undiagnosed, it can make you really ill, really quickly. It can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) – which you can die from.
Type 1 diabetes can affect anyone, at any age. We want everyone to know the 4Ts – get involved in our campaign today by downloading our 4Ts posters and sharing the message on social media.
Although type 1 diabetes is often thought of as a condition that develops in childhood it can happen at any age. Research has shown that more than half of new cases of type 1 diabetes happens in adults.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are the same at any age but the way they present can look different in children and adults. An example is that a child might get new onset bed wetting, while an adult might start needing to get up in the night to wee.
Type 1 diabetes might not always be recongised and noticed in adults straight away and this could mean delays in diagnosis and treatment. Adults can sometimes mistake the symptoms for other things like like stress, work, menopause, caring responsibilities or ageing.
How the 4Ts might present in adults:
Toilet – needing to go for a wee more often than usual. This can feel like you're weeing every hour, and getting up in the night to wee where you didn’t before. If you're a carer, you might notice that an elderly person needs their continence pads need changing more often or they suddenly become incontinent.
Thirsty – drinking more than usual. You might notice that you’re finishing drinks very quickly, always needing a drink close by, needing a drink in the night, and having a dry mouth.
Tired – feeling unusually tired. You might not be able to concentrate as well as usual, have less energy for everyday activities and hobbies, need a nap during the day, and experience mood changes like feeling more irritable.
Thinner – looking or feeling thinner. Your clothes may feel looser, and the rings on your fingers might feel looser.
It’s important to know that type 1 diabetes can affect anyone, at any age, so remember the 4Ts and know what to do if you spot them.
Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes diagnosed in children.
The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes are the same similar at any age, but it sometimes be hard to spot the symptoms in children as they might not be able to tell you how they’re feeling, or they might be unwell at the same time with another illness. You may notice certain things in your child that aren’t normal for them.
Spotting symptoms in your child:
Toilet – your child might have heavier nappies, or your child might start wetting the bed having previously been dry at night. A teacher might tell you they’re asking to go to the toilet a lot during lessons.
Thirsty – your child may ask for a drink more often, help themself from the tap, finish drinks very quickly, need to have a drink in the night, or you may notice they generally drink more. A baby might want to feed more.
Tired – your child’s teacher may let you know they’re having trouble staying awake in school, or your baby or toddler might start napping more or for longer. You might notice a change in behaviour like irritability, not being able to concentrate or reduced energy, or they might not want to play as often or have less energy for sports.
Thinner – your child may feel or look thinner when you’re getting them dressed or their clothes may feel looser.
If you or a family member is showing any of these symptoms, contact your GP surgery straight away, call 111 for advice or go to A&E if your symptoms are getting worse.
Ask the doctor or nurse for a quick and simple finger prick blood test to check for type 1 diabetes – it only takes a few seconds.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to come on quickly, over just a few days or weeks, and this is especially true in children. If you notice any of the signs and symptoms it's important they are assessed on the same day by a GP, or local hospital if out of hours. When speaking with them please inform the doctor that you suspect diabetes.
