Pay attention to constant fatigue.
Constant fatigue is one of the first warning signs that can be easily overlooked or attributed to overwork, lack of sleep, or a busy schedule. But if you still feel tired even after a full rest, a weekend off, or a good night’s sleep — it’s a reason to take notice. When the body cannot effectively use glucose for energy, the cells remain “hungry,” and the body feels drained. This often happens in the early stages of prediabetes. You might notice that routine tasks are becoming harder, and your motivation fades by midday. For example, if you used to do household chores easily after work but now feel the need to lie down or have a coffee — it might not be just age-related. It could be a signal that your glucose metabolism is off balance, so it’s important to be attentive and monitor your condition.
Notice frequent urination.
Frequent urination is another key signal that could indicate prediabetes. While it might seem harmless or related to increased fluid intake, it’s worth looking closer. When blood sugar levels rise, the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose through the kidneys. As a result, they “filter” more glucose, and more water is excreted with it. This leads to frequent urination, especially at night. For instance, if you used to sleep through the night but now wake up 1–2 times to go to the bathroom, or if you notice more frequent daytime trips without a clear reason — it’s not just a new habit. It’s important not to ignore such changes, even if they seem minor.
Analyse family medical history.
People often underestimate the impact of heredity on health, but in the case of prediabetes, genetics plays an important role. If your close relatives — parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters — have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing prediabetes is much higher. This is due not only to genes that can affect insulin sensitivity or metabolism, but also to habits that are passed down in the family: the type of diet, level of physical activity, and attitude to disease prevention. For example, if the family does not regularly undergo medical examinations or has a tradition of eating a lot or having a late dinner, this can gradually lead to metabolic disorders. Analyzing family history is not about fear, but about awareness. If you know that there have been cases of diabetes in your family, this is a reason to be more attentive to your own health: check your blood glucose levels more often, control your weight, avoid excess sugar in your diet, and monitor your physical activity. In the event of suspicious changes or confirmation of diabetes, it is especially important to regularly monitor your body condition and be under medical supervision. Depending on the type of diabetes, the doctor will select an individual therapy — it is important to strictly follow the prescriptions and take all the necessary medications on time (for example, such as Accarb, Actos, Amaryl, Daonil, Diavista, Invokana). This helps to avoid complications and maintain a stable quality of life.
Watch your vision.
Elevated blood glucose levels begin to affect small blood vessels, especially those that supply the retina. These changes are not yet critical but can already cause unpleasant symptoms that are easy to dismiss or blame on fatigue or screen time. You may notice that your vision becomes less sharp, particularly after eating or toward the end of the day. Some people report occasional blurriness, difficulty focusing, or a sensation of dryness in the eyes without an obvious cause. For instance, if you used to work at a computer for hours without issues, but now find your eyes getting tired quickly and feel the need to blink more often — don’t ignore these changes. They may be early signs of issues that point to the onset of a condition.
Observe your facial skin.
The condition of your skin often reflects internal processes in the body. While people tend to view breakouts, oiliness, or dryness as cosmetic problems or responses to stress or weather changes, they can actually be early signs of prediabetes. Disruptions in carbohydrate metabolism affect hormonal balance and sebaceous gland activity. As a result, your skin may become unusually oily, develop acne-like breakouts in adulthood, or — on the contrary — have a dry, dehydrated texture even with your usual skincare routine. So, if you’ve always had clear skin but have recently noticed frequent irritation, unusual rashes, or changes in skin tone, it’s worth paying attention not just to your skincare, but to your overall health. These external signals are not a reason to panic, but they are a valuable opportunity to consider getting some basic tests done to rule out the onset of disease.
Pay attention to mood changes.
In prediabetes, certain processes in the body shift, directly affecting brain and nervous system function. The brain is extremely sensitive to both shortages and surpluses of glucose. You may feel irritable for no clear reason, experience sudden mood swings, anxiety, or even mild apathy. These feelings often appear at specific times of day — for instance, after lunch or in the evening, when blood sugar levels fluctuate. In some cases, you might notice a sharp drop in focus, or feel snappy during conversations, even when nothing particularly upsetting has happened. These emotional ups and downs are often accompanied by physical symptoms: fatigue, headaches, or mild body tremors. It’s important not to ignore these changes, especially if they’re becoming more frequent or have appeared suddenly.