The signs of type 1 diabetes are similar to those of type 2 diabetes. Someone can have diabetes without knowing it because the symptoms aren’t always obvious and they may develop gradually over time. Some people may have no symptoms at all, while for others the initial symptoms may range from very mild to life-threatening conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
One major difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that type 1 is most often diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults, while type 2 occurs most frequently in middle aged and older adults. Symptoms that may occur with type 1 diabetes include:
- frequent urination
- extreme thirst
- increased appetite
- drowsiness, fatigue, or lethargy
- blurred vision
- unexplained weight loss
- fruity or sweet odor on your breath
- sores that heal slowly
- dry, itchy skin
- tingling or loss of feeling in the feet
- sugar in urine