Diabetes runs in my family. Almost everyone on my dad’s side of the family has/had it and many of them suffered quite a lot under it. My dad was diagnosed when he was 44 (he’s 75-now and needs insulin shots multiple times a day) and my brother, who is gonna be 40 next year, was diagnosed earlier this year or last year (not sure if he’s insulin dependent or not). I just turned 41 this September and have been riding the “high glucose/pre-diabetic” test results high-wire for the last decade or so. I used to be much more active (pre-COVID) and ate better in the past, but as I get on in my years, I am worried that this is going to become an inevitability even if I were to resume my previous exercise and nutrition regiments.
I think a lot of us can benefit greatly from hindsight and, even if it can’t help you now, what were some warnings/indications you were diabetic before you actually confirmed it? If you’re up for sharing, what was the final event that forced you to seek help and eventually get diagnosed?
Thank you, in advance, for any information you are willing to share!
Edit: Updated the title to specify Type-2 diabetics. Still, T1 that know how they were feeling prior to are more than welcome to comment, as well!


My Mom was recently diagnosed type 2, but I think she was completely asymptomatic. I mean, she’s 71 and has lots of symptoms but also plenty of other causes to attribute all of her problems to. When her routine blood work came back with a type 2 diagnosis she said, “shit, I probably should’ve seen that coming. Damn now I have to get really serious about losing weight. I don’t want to be diabetic by this time next year.”
Sounds like she’s determined to stick around! Good for her! Is she a grandma? That was a motivation for my dad to get serious about his health enough to stop some bad eating habits.