Is my excessive thirst and weight loss due to diabetes?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been experiencing overwhelming thirst for three months, drinking water constantly day and night, but never feeling satisfied. I urinate every thirty to forty minutes, including waking nine to ten times nightly, which leaves me exhausted. Despite feeling extremely hungry and eating much larger portions, I have lost twenty-three pounds over three months without trying.

I feel profoundly weak and tired all the time, struggling with even simple daily tasks and work responsibilities. Minor cuts, scrapes, and blisters on my hands and feet take four to six weeks to heal instead of days. My vision has become blurry, especially when reading or using the computer, which affects my work. Both my parents have type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in their early fifties. My laboratory report shows a fasting glucose level of two hundred ninety-eight milligrams per deciliter (normal range: seventy to one hundred). What could this indicate, and how should I manage it?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

From the details you provided, your fasting blood glucose level is significantly elevated, and along with your symptoms, this strongly suggests diabetes mellitus type two. The classic symptoms you are experiencing, such as excessive thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), increased hunger (polyphagia), unexplained weight loss, and fatigue, are hallmark features of uncontrolled diabetes. Slow wound healing and blurred vision are also common due to persistently high glucose levels, which affect small blood vessels and nerves.

Since you also have a family history of type 2 diabetes, your genetic risk is high. You should get a complete diabetic evaluation, including:

Fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels.
HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) test to assess average sugar control over three months.
Serum creatinine and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) to check kidney function.
Lipid profile to evaluate cholesterol levels.
An eye examination (fundoscopy) by an ophthalmologist is recommended to check for diabetic retinopathy.

Lifestyle changes are the foundation of diabetes management. Follow a diabetic-friendly diet that avoids refined sugars, processed foods, and excessive carbohydrates. Include whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and high-fiber foods. Exercise regularly for thirty to forty minutes daily, and avoid prolonged sitting.

Based on your laboratory results, your doctor may prescribe oral antidiabetic medications or insulin to bring your blood sugar under control. Early treatment and adherence are important to prevent complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.

I hope this helps you. Please contact us for further queries.

Thank you.