Most people associate diabetes with blood sugar, insulin or cutting back on sweet foods. However, your risk is also influenced by factors such as age, family history, pregnancy, blood pressure and activity levels.
Around 1.3 million Australians live with diagnosed diabetes, and many more are living with prediabetes without knowing it.
Type 2 diabetes can develop for years without obvious symptoms. In fact, some people discover diabetes or prediabetes through a routine blood test while feeling perfectly well.
So where might your own risk sit, and how would you know when to get checked?
What This Article Covers
Diabetes Can Develop Before You Feel Unwell
Diabetes occurs when glucose builds up in the bloodstream because the body cannot produce enough insulin or use it effectively. The cause and treatment depend on the type:
- Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. It can develop at any age, although it’s often diagnosed in children and younger adults.
- Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or cannot produce enough to keep blood glucose within a healthy range.
- Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after the baby is born, although it increases the mother’s future risk of Type 2 diabetes.
- Prediabetes is when blood glucose is above the usual range but has not reached the threshold for Type 2 diabetes.
Finding these changes early gives people more options to keep blood glucose under control and reduce the risk of future complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Prefer a quick visual explanation? This two-minute ABC Science video explains how diabetes affects the body and why managing blood glucose is so important.
Check Your Diabetes Risk
There is no single cause of Type 2 diabetes. The checklist below highlights some of the most common risk factors.
Select all statements that apply to you.
Your answers show fewer of the factors commonly associated with Type 2 diabetes. This checklist is only a guide. If you have symptoms or concerns, it's still worth discussing them with your GP.
Diabetes Symptoms Can Be Easy to Miss
Possible symptoms include:
- Thirstier than usual: your body tries to remove excess glucose through urine, making you lose more fluid.
- Urinating more often: particularly during the night, as your kidneys work harder to remove extra glucose.
- Blurred vision: high blood glucose can cause the lens inside the eye to swell slightly, making your vision appear out of focus.
- Unusually tired: your body struggles to move glucose into cells where it is needed for energy.
- Cuts or sores take longer to heal: high blood glucose can affect circulation and slow the body’s natural healing process.
- Recurring infections: bacteria and fungi grow more easily when blood glucose levels are higher than normal.
- Unexpected weight loss: more common in Type 1 diabetes, where the body starts breaking down fat and muscle because it cannot use glucose properly.
Type 2 diabetes may cause no noticeable symptoms at first. Tiredness can be blamed on work, thirst on Brisbane’s heat, and disrupted sleep on getting older, which is why a blood test is often more reliable than guesswork.
How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
A commonly used test is called HbA1c. Instead of showing your blood glucose at one moment, it estimates your average level over the previous two to three months.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, a GP may also recommend fasting glucose or another blood test. Results need to be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history and recognised risk factors.
If testing confirms diabetes, early support can make a significant difference. Learn more about MGPC’s Diabetes Management services and how our GPs help patients manage diabetes over the long term.
Diabetes Support Has Changed Too
Every July, National Diabetes Week draws attention to the experiences of Australians living with diabetes and the support available to them.
Modern diabetes care may include medication, glucose monitoring, nutrition advice, regular checks and a plan suited to the person’s health and daily routine.
Morningside General Practice Clinic offers dedicated diabetes management and ongoing care for chronic conditions.
A GP appointment can provide a clearer assessment than an online checklist and arrange testing where needed. Further information and support are also available through Diabetes Australia.
Extra: What can you do more of, less of, and avoid to decrease your risk of diabetes?
Three things to do more of and why:
- Exercise: Helps your body use insulin more effectively.
- High-fibre foods: Supports steadier blood glucose levels.
- Regular health checks: Can detect diabetes before symptoms appear.
Three things to do less of and why:
- Sugary drinks: Cause rapid blood glucose spikes.
- Processed snack foods: Often contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance.
- Long periods of sitting: Regular movement helps regulate blood glucose.
Three things to avoid why:
- Ignoring symptoms: Early diagnosis makes treatment easier.
- Smoking: Increases diabetes risk and complications.
- Skipping GP reviews: Especially if you’ve been told you’re at higher risk or have prediabetes.
