THOUGH endocrinologist Dr Michael Boyne pointed out that the signs associated with diabetes often indicate that blood sugar levels are already very high, he told the Jamaica Observer what classical signs a person not known to have diabetes should look for.

“Unexplained weight loss, and I say unexplained because many people are trying to lose weight, but when the weight is melted off and you haven’t done anything – think of diabetes,” Dr Boyne insisted. “Other things can do it, like cancer, thyroid disease, but diabetes could be the cause.”

“Increased urination, especially at night-time, and each time they go they pass a large volume,” Dr Boyne continued. “And they end up eating more.

“So even though the are eating more, they are losing weight,” Dr Boyne said.

The endocrinologist noted that many of the people who find out that they are diabetic, only discover after a blood test is done.

“So about 60 per cent of people is by a blood test, the other 40 per cent is because they have these symptoms,” Dr Boyne shared.

He explained further that there may also be other issues.

“Their sugar levels can get so high that they can have poor visions, so a lot of time they are diagnosed by the optician or ophthalmologist,” said Dr Boyne. “They can get thrush on the skin. So, thrush is a fungal infection so that the tongue might get coated white. Women might complain of fungal infection in the vagina. Men might complain of fungal infection at the tip of the penis.”

Dr Boyne said another signal is if wounds do not heal easily.

Wounds don’t heal very easily.

“So poor healing is also something for them, if you get these sorts of things, you should get checked out for diabetes.”

For diabetics, Dr Boyne said if you are still having the mentioned symptoms, this means your blood glucose level is not being well controlled, and you therefore need to revisit your programme.

“I look at those signals as being late signals, as when I have to run and do something about you,” Dr Boyne told the Sunday Observer, adding that the earlier diabetes is detected, the better off the diabetic will be.

– Anika Richards