# Do I have signs of diabetes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 28, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257 "2005-10-28T03:32:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cat39645](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cat39645](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cat39645)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/1 "2005-10-28T03:32:41Z")
I thought that my frequent urination shows I have signs of diabetes. I will be seeing a doctor, but I want the opinion of others. Is urinating every 1-2 hours considered normal? Sometimes I urinate every hour and other times I urinate every 1-2 hours. It seems this only happpens after I gain weight. I’m a yo-yo dieter and I noticed when I’m losing weight I urinate normally, but when I went off the diet for a week I urinate every hour and I think it’s due to the fat the weighs down on my bladder. Am I imagining things? I’m also 5’5’’ and about 184 pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/2 "2005-10-28T04:04:59Z")
People developing diabetes tend to eat and eat and eat without getting weight; my understanding is that they are hungry and thirsty almost all of the time. If that’s also true for you, although your post indicates it isn’t, it could be a hint. My guess would be that this is a diet thing. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/3 "2005-10-28T04:15:17Z")
> [@cat39645](#): > > I will be seeing a doctor… Good idea. Your doctor can order a blood test that will determine whether or not you have diabetes. Excessive urination is one of the symptoms of diabetes, but it is probably also a symptom of several other conditions. Only your doctor can tell you for sure. This site lists the symptoms of diabetes: [http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-symptoms.jsp](http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-symptoms.jsp) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/4 "2005-10-28T04:44:44Z")
Since frequent urination can also be a symptom of thingssuch as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or prostate gland troubles, I immediately follow-up my “Are you urinating frequently” question with “Are you thirstier than normal”. Diabetes will lead to increased thirst in addition to the frequent urination, whereas a UTI’s and prostate stuff have no effecton thirst. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/5 "2005-10-28T05:51:34Z")
Go see an MD. If you want a clinical WAG, go to a drug store and get a Home A1C Test. Take it. If your A1C is greater than 6 or 7%, you’ve got a problem. ---
**Author:** ![cat39645](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c37758/32.png) [@cat39645](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cat39645)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/6 "2005-10-28T06:36:03Z")
I am not thirstier than normal. It could be that I have a UTI,but I don’t feel it? I’ve had UTI’s before and I’ve had 8 kidney stones before. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/7 "2005-10-28T06:41:11Z")
Anxiety is another cause of frequent urination. At least it is in me. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/8 "2005-10-28T08:54:14Z")
Genuine Stress Incontinence (which can present as urinary frequency) might also be exacerbated by excess weight. GSI is much more common in women. Go to your doctor and ask for the full workup…if nothing shows up to indicate a UTI or diabetes, perhaps some urological or urogynaecological investigations are warranted. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/9 "2005-10-28T13:47:56Z")
Just a friendly note from your friendly neighborhood moderator: Nothing in this thread should be construed as medical advice. **cat39645** , take the advice of the other posters in this thread and see your doctor. Let’s keep it that way, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/10 "2005-10-28T16:41:13Z")
Several months ago I found myself urinating all the time, and was concerned because I have a history of diabetes. Turned out to be a bladder infection, which wasn’t painful. If I hadn’t thought about it when I was at my regular annual gynecologist visit, who knows what it might have turned into? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-signs-of-diabetes/328257/11 "2005-10-28T16:44:27Z")
Family history, I meant. Family history.