What is diabetes?
- The body doesn’t make enough insulin (Type 1), or
- The body doesn’t respond well to insulin (Type 2).
When this happens, glucose stays in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar. Over time, this can affect the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves if not managed well.
Further reading
Types at a glance
Type 1 diabetes
- Autoimmune - very little or no insulin.
- Needs insulin from outside (injections/pump).
- Often in children/young adults (any age possible).
Type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance + gradual insulin decline.
- Most common; influenced by genes & lifestyle.
- Managed with habits, meds and sometimes insulin.
Gestational diabetes
- High sugars during pregnancy.
- Usually resolves after delivery.
- Raises future Type 2 risk for mother & child.
LADA (Type 1.5)
- Autoimmune diabetes in adults; slower onset.
- May look like Type 2 at first.
- Often needs insulin over time.
Signs & symptoms
Early recognition helps you get the right tests and care sooner. Common symptoms include:
Why diagnosis matters
Finding diabetes early helps you act early - so you can avoid complications, choose the right treatment, and feel better day-to-day. Even “prediabetes” is a nudge to make changes that can delay or prevent Type 2.
Common diagnostic ranges
Typical cut-offs used in many guidelines (units: mg/dL for glucose, % for HbA1c). Your clinician may confirm on a separate day or use additional tests.
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) | < 100 | 100–125 | ≥ 126 |
| 2-hr post-meal / OGTT | < 140 | 140–199 | ≥ 200 |
| HbA1c (%) | < 5.7 | 5.7–6.4 | ≥ 6.5 |
* Random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL with classic symptoms can also diagnose diabetes. Results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional.
Testing & lab guides
Managing diabetes
Good care balances daily habits, monitoring, and the right treatment plan. Small, consistent steps make a big difference over time.
Food & carb awareness
Focus on balanced plates, fiber, protein, and portion sizes. Learn how carbs affect your glucose.
Activity & movement
Aim for regular movement - walking, strength, or yoga. Even short bouts help improve insulin sensitivity.
Monitoring sugars
Use a glucometer or CGM to spot patterns and adjust. Check fasting and 2-hour post-meal values.
Meds & insulin
Take medicines as prescribed. If you use insulin, match doses to food, activity, and targets.
Stress & sleep
Stress and poor sleep can raise sugars. Build simple routines - wind-down time, breathing, light activity.
Regular check-ups
Yearly eyes, kidneys, feet, lipids, and BP checks help prevent complications or catch them early.
Typical glucose targets
Targets are personalised-these are common goals for many adults with diabetes. Your clinician may set different goals.
* Always confirm with your healthcare provider, especially for pregnancy, older adults, or other special situations.