PATIENT EDUCATION
Diabetes
Diabetes can develop gradually or present with clear symptoms. The pattern of symptoms, glucose results, medicines and overall health helps determine the type of diabetes and the safest treatment plan.
Select a topic below to view more information.
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Increased Thirst & Frequent Urination
What you'll notice or feel
- Feeling unusually thirsty throughout the day.
- Passing urine more often, including waking at night.
- Dry mouth or signs of dehydration.
- Sometimes blurred vision or fatigue alongside these symptoms.
Common causes
- Blood glucose remaining above the healthy range.
- Previously unrecognised Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- A temporary rise in glucose during illness or with certain medicines such as corticosteroids.
- Other causes of thirst or frequent urination that are not related to diabetes.
What it could be
- Diabetes mellitus requiring confirmation with appropriate blood tests.
- Marked hyperglycaemia, especially when symptoms are new or rapidly worsening.
- Less commonly, another endocrine, kidney or fluid-balance problem.
Initial self-care
- Arrange a glucose check rather than relying on symptoms alone.
- Drink water regularly unless you have been advised to restrict fluids.
- If you already have diabetes, follow your agreed glucose-monitoring plan.
- Do not start, stop or double diabetes medicines without medical advice.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Persistent vomiting, marked drowsiness, confusion or collapse.
- Deep or difficult breathing, severe dehydration or severe abdominal pain.
- Very high glucose together with rapidly worsening illness, especially in Type 1 diabetes.
When to see a doctor
- Symptoms persist for more than a few days.
- Home glucose readings are repeatedly above your usual target.
- You have risk factors such as family history, previous gestational diabetes or excess weight.
Unexplained Weight Loss, Tiredness or Hunger
What you'll notice or feel
- Losing weight without deliberately changing diet or activity.
- Persistent tiredness or reduced stamina.
- Feeling unusually hungry despite eating normally.
- Reduced concentration or general weakness.
Common causes
- Glucose cannot be used efficiently for energy.
- Insulin deficiency, particularly in Type 1 diabetes.
- Long-standing Type 2 diabetes that has become more difficult to control.
- Other medical causes such as thyroid disease, anaemia or chronic illness.
What it could be
- New or poorly controlled diabetes.
- A need to reassess the type of diabetes or current treatment.
- A non-diabetes cause if glucose testing is normal.
Initial self-care
- Arrange medical review and blood testing.
- Keep a record of weight change, appetite and any glucose readings.
- Maintain regular meals and hydration while awaiting review.
- Do not deliberately restrict food to compensate for high glucose without professional advice.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Rapid weight loss with vomiting, dehydration or increasing drowsiness.
- Breathlessness, confusion or inability to keep fluids down.
- Severe weakness or collapse.
When to see a doctor
- Unintentional weight loss continues.
- Fatigue is affecting work or daily activities.
- You have symptoms of diabetes but have never been tested.
High Glucose Readings
What you'll notice or feel
- Home glucose readings repeatedly above your usual target.
- Higher readings during infection, travel, stress or steroid treatment.
- Sometimes no symptoms despite persistently high glucose.
- Thirst, urination or blurred vision may appear as levels rise.
Common causes
- Missed or insufficient diabetes medication.
- Illness or infection.
- Changes in diet, physical activity, weight or sleep.
- Steroid medicines and some other treatments.
What it could be
- Temporary hyperglycaemia during illness.
- A need to adjust the current diabetes treatment plan.
- Progression of Type 2 diabetes over time.
Initial self-care
- Check glucose as advised and record the pattern rather than a single value.
- Maintain hydration and continue medicines unless your clinician has given specific sick-day instructions.
- Check ketones if you have Type 1 diabetes or have been specifically advised to do so.
- Contact your diabetes team if readings remain substantially above your usual range.
When to see a doctor urgently
- High glucose with ketones, vomiting, abdominal pain or difficult breathing.
- Confusion, severe dehydration or fainting.
- Rapid deterioration during an infection or other illness.
When to see a doctor
- Readings remain high over several days.
- You are needing frequent correction doses or experiencing large swings.
- High readings started after a new medicine or steroid treatment.
Medication, Insulin or Monitoring Difficulties
What you'll notice or feel
- Uncertainty about when or how to take medicines or insulin.
- Large swings between high and low glucose.
- Difficulty using a glucose meter, CGM or injection device.
- Missed doses because of side effects, work, travel or meal patterns.
Common causes
- A treatment plan that no longer fits current routines or glucose patterns.
- Injection technique or device problems.
- Changes in kidney function, weight, diet or physical activity.
- Side effects or fear of hypoglycaemia.
What it could be
- A need for medication review and education rather than simply adding more treatment.
- Possible over-treatment if low glucose is frequent.
- Possible under-treatment if glucose remains persistently high.
Initial self-care
- Keep a short log of glucose, medicines, meals and low-glucose episodes.
- Bring your meter/CGM reports and medication list to review.
- Use medicines exactly as prescribed until reviewed unless an urgent problem occurs.
- Ask for technique review if injections or devices are difficult.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Repeated severe low glucose, seizure or loss of consciousness.
- Vomiting or inability to take medicines/fluids safely during illness.
- Symptoms of severe hyperglycaemia or ketoacidosis.
When to see a doctor
- You are frequently missing doses or experiencing side effects.
- Glucose varies widely despite following the plan.
- You are planning fasting, major travel, surgery or pregnancy.
Slow Healing, Recurrent Infections or Numbness
What you'll notice or feel
- Cuts or wounds taking longer than expected to heal.
- Repeated skin, urinary or genital infections.
- Numbness, burning or tingling in the feet.
- Visual changes or swelling that has no obvious explanation.
Common causes
- Long-term exposure to high blood glucose can affect nerves and small blood vessels.
- Reduced sensation can allow foot injuries to go unnoticed.
- High glucose can increase susceptibility to some infections.
- These symptoms can also have unrelated causes.
What it could be
- Diabetes-related nerve, eye, kidney or foot complications.
- Poor glycaemic control contributing to recurrent infection.
- Another condition requiring separate assessment.
Initial self-care
- Inspect your feet daily if you have reduced sensation.
- Keep wounds clean and seek early assessment if healing is delayed.
- Keep up routine eye, kidney and foot screening recommended for diabetes.
- Do not self-treat deep foot wounds or infected ulcers.
When to see a doctor urgently
- A red, hot, swollen foot, spreading infection or blackened tissue.
- Sudden major visual loss.
- Severe infection with fever, confusion or marked illness.
When to see a doctor
- Numbness or burning is persistent or worsening.
- You develop a recurrent wound or infection.
- Routine diabetes complication screening is overdue.
YOUR CONSULTATION
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Review of symptoms, family history, previous glucose results and current medicines.
- Blood tests may include glucose and HbA1c; additional tests are selected according to the clinical situation.
- Assessment of blood pressure, weight and cardiovascular risk, with foot examination where appropriate.
- Review of glucose-meter or CGM data if you already monitor at home.
- Treatment may include nutrition and activity advice, tablets, injectable therapy or insulin depending on the type of diabetes and individual needs.
- A follow-up plan is usually made for glucose targets, complication screening and long-term risk reduction.
* IMPORTANT: A Note Before You Go
Diabetes is not one single condition and treatment should be individualised. Symptoms can be mild or absent, so testing is important when diabetes is suspected.
This page provides general educational information and cannot replace an individual medical assessment. If symptoms are persistent, worsening or concerning, arrange appropriate medical review.
NEED AN ASSESSMENT?
Arrange an Endocrinology Consultation
For non-emergency assessment or follow-up, appointments are booked through the hospital’s central appointment desk on 0422 432 4433. For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.