Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffects of Uncontrolled DiabetesHyperglycemiaFoot InfectionsFrequent UrinationFrequent ThirstExtreme FatigueDiabetic KetoacidosisConstant HungerBlurry VisionWeight LossHearing ProblemsCirculation ProblemsSkin ConditionsPrognosisWhen to See a DoctorNext in Diabetes GuideThe Three P’s of Diabetes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effects of Uncontrolled Diabetes
Hyperglycemia
Foot Infections
Frequent Urination
Frequent Thirst
Extreme Fatigue
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Constant Hunger
Blurry Vision
Weight Loss
Hearing Problems
Circulation Problems
Skin Conditions
Prognosis
When to See a Doctor
Next in Diabetes Guide
Uncontrolleddiabetesis defined as having sustained high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or frequent low blood sugars (hypoglycemia). People with uncontrolled diabetes have a greater risk of diabetic complications.
Diabetes may be uncontrolled because it is undiagnosed, the current treatment is ineffective, or there’s a lack of compliance with treatment. Classic symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar include excessive thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision. But there are many less obvious signs as well.
This article discusses the symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes. It explains the common and uncommon signs of high blood sugar and when to talk to your healthcare provider.
Riska / Getty Images
How Uncontrolled Diabetes Affects the Body
Uncontrolled diabetes is defined as having sustained blood glucose (sugar) levels are 180 milliliters per deciliter (ml/dL) or higher. When diabetes is uncontrolled, persistently high blood sugar levels can damage nerves, blood vessels, and vital organs.
The complications of diabetes are broadly divided into two categories:
What is a Dangerous Blood Sugar Level?
How Long Can You Live with Uncontrolled Diabetes?
Uncontrolled type 1 diabetes can quickly escalate to a life-threatening complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).DKA can come on quickly—in as little as 24 hours—or take several weeks of uncontrolled high blood sugar to set in.
While people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can also develop DKA, it is less common. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can shorten your lifespan in other ways. Sustained high blood sugar also increases your risk of complications that may be disabling.
On average, the life expectancy of people with type 2 diabetes is six years shorter than nondiabetics. However, research shows improving blood sugar control can add 3.8 years back.
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose)
Hyperglycemia(high blood sugar) is a potentially serious condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or insulin is not properly utilized.
Hyperglycemia is diagnosed when blood glucose levels are higher than 100 mg/dL while fasting, higher than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after the start of a meal, or when your blood glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL.
In the early stages of diabetes, there may be few, if any, symptoms. If there are, they typically include:
In more severe hyperglycemic events, a person may experience:
Hyperglycemia Symptoms
Verywell
Uncontrolled high blood sugar can weaken the body’s immune system and make it harder to fight infections. It also makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate and thrive in damaged tissues and organs.
One such example of this isdiabetic foot syndrome. This occurs when impaired blood flow to the foot not only increases the risk of infection but reduces the availability of immune cells to fight the infection. The reduced blood flow also prevents the proper formation of scabs and the remodeling of new tissues.
Slow wound healing is the hallmark of diabetic foot syndrome. With uncontrolled diabetes, sores can fester and causetissue death, leading to the onset ofgangrene.
Symptoms of diabetic foot syndrome include:
Foot UlcersIf left untreated, diabetic foot ulcers can lead to leg amputation,sepsis(a potentially deadly inflammatory reaction to the spread of infection), and even death.
Foot Ulcers
If left untreated, diabetic foot ulcers can lead to leg amputation,sepsis(a potentially deadly inflammatory reaction to the spread of infection), and even death.
Slowing Charcot Foot Neuropathy
If you wake up multiple times during the night to use the bathroom or urinate more frequently and in larger amounts, you may be experiencingpolyuria.
Polyuria is the medical term for frequent urination. It is a symptom of diabetes that can lead to extreme dehydration andkidney injuryif your blood sugar is not kept in check.
Polyuria with diabetes is the direct result of high blood sugar. Normally, when your kidneys create urine, they reabsorb all the sugar and direct it back to the bloodstream.
This does not happen with uncontrolled diabetes. Instead, the excess glucose ends up in the urine, which acts as anosmole(meaning a substance that alters the movement of fluids). The osmotic effect draws more fluid into the kidneys, leading to increased urination.
Uncontrolled diabetes is just one cause of polyuria. Frequent urination is also a side effect of diuretic medications and lithium, and can be caused from drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages and early pregnancy.
Drinking more water may help in the short term, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem. To curb your thirst, you need to get your blood sugar under control.
Fatigueis common in people with uncontrolled diabetes. Although there is little understanding as to why this occurs, several factors are known to contribute to lethargy in people with diabetes, including:
Extreme fatigue plays a significant role in the quality of life and should not be overlooked as a symptom of diabetes.
High Blood Sugar in People Without Diabetes
Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication that can lead to coma or death if not treated immediately.
This complication most frequently affects people withtype 1 diabetesbut, in rare cases, can affect people withtype 2 diabetes.DKA symptoms tend to develop rapidly, often within 24 hours, causing symptoms such as:
The two most common causes of DKA are illness and poor insulin control.
Polyphagiais a term used to describe excessive hunger or increased appetite. It is one of the three main signs of diabetes, alongside increased thirst and frequent urination.
When diabetes is uncontrolled, it prevents glucose from entering cells for conversion into energy. The lack of energy sends signals to the brain, suggesting that more food is needed to bring energy levels back up.
Causes and Symptoms of Nocturnal Hyperglycemia
Blurry visionis sometimes one of the earliest signs of diabetes. It can occur when your blood sugar levels are too high, too low, or rapidly fluctuating.
A sudden spike in blood sugar can cause fluids to build up within the eye, causing short-term changes to the shape of the lens. After a severe hypoglycemic attack, it can sometimes take up to six weeks for the blurriness and visual distortions to clear.
By contrast, when your blood sugar levels are too low—known ashypoglycemia—your vision can get blurry due to the way that hypoglycemia affects the brain.
Uncontrolled diabetes can also damage the small vessels of the eye, causing them to bleed and leak fluid into theretina(the layer of tissue to the back of the eye). Over time, the persistent swelling can damage the retina, leading to a condition known asdiabetic retinopathy, in which blurred vision and vision loss are common.
Diabetes is today the leading cause of blindness in people ages 20 to 74 in the United States, according to the National Eye Institute.
How to Screen for Diabetic Retinopathy
If diabetes is uncontrolled and your blood sugar levels are persistently high, it can cause the body to break down fat and muscle for energy, leading to a notable loss in weight and muscle mass.
Muscle is heavier than fat, so weight loss is common in people with uncontrolled diabetes. Excessive urination also means that you are losing excessive amounts of water, which can contribute to weight fluctuations.
Could Rapid Weight Loss Mean Diabetes?
Hearing loss is more common in people with uncontrolled diabetes, although the reasons for this are not clear. It can even affect people withprediabetes(in which blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes).
According to the American Diabetes Association, hearing loss is twice as likely in people with diabetes than in those without. Moreover, of the 88 million adults in the United States who have prediabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher than in those with normal blood glucose levels.
Some researchers believe that high blood sugar causes damage to the small blood vessels in theinner ear. Others contend that it increases pressure in the fluid-filledcochlea, which acts as the microphone of the ear.
Can Diabetes Make You Go Deaf?
Elevated glucose levels over many years can contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels calledplaque. When it affects blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, it can lead to a condition known as peripheral artery disease (PAD).
The symptoms of PAD are wide-ranging and can involve multiple organ systems, including the skin, lungs, joints, connective tissues, digestive tract,
Symptoms of PAD in people with diabetes include:
The risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is high in people with uncontrolled diabetes. PAD not only occurs earlier than in people without diabetes but is more likely to be severe.
Diabetes can affect the skin in different ways. In people with long-standing diabetes, it can sometimes cause irreversible skin changes. Other skin problems only arise when blood sugar levels are high and will clear once the levels are normalized.
Acanthosis Nigricans
AN is most commonly linked toinsulin resistance. This is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and cannot utilize glucose from the blood for energy.
Although AN is relatively benign, it can be a signal that you have diabetes or that your diabetes is not being adequately controlled.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
The cause of NLD is unknown but is more common in females than males. NLD can sometimes be itchy or painful but usually doesn’t require treatment other than to normalize blood sugar levels.
Bullous Diabeticorum
On rare occasions,diabetes can cause blistersto form on the hands, feet, legs, and forearms. The condition, calledbullous diabeticorum, is seen almost exclusively in people with long-standing diabetes and poor glucose control.
Eruptive Xanthomatosis
Males are more likely to experience EX than females. As with bullous diabeticorum, these bumps will disappear once diabetes is brought under control.
Digital Sclerosis
Digital sclerosis will cause the skin will become tight, thick, and waxy, while the underlying joints will be harder to flex or extend. The only treatment for digital sclerosis is to bring blood sugar levels back under control.
Disseminated Granuloma Annulare
Disseminated granuloma annulare(DGA) is a self-limited, benign condition that affects the top two layers of skin called thedermisandsubcutaneous tissues. DGA is associated with poor glucose control but may also be the first sign of diabetes in some people.
DGA is most commonly seen in adults with diabetes, causing raised patches of pink, mauve, or flesh-colored skin with well-defined borders. The fingers, hands, and feet are the areas most often affected.
DGA tends to clear on its own and generally improves with well-controlled diabetes.
The Effects of Diabetes on Skin
Long-Term Effects of Uncontrolled Diabetes
Over time, uncontrolled high blood sugar leads to long-term complications. Some complications, like blindness and kidney failure, are permanent. Other complications, like peripheral neuropathy, may be reversible if caught early.
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a decreased quality of life due to complications. It can also lead to heart disease, including fatal heart attacks and strokes.
Managing your blood sugar can help to prevent complications. If you are having difficulty keeping your blood sugar levels in range, talk to your healthcare provider about changing your treatment plan.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
If you are not diagnosed with diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested for diabetes if you experience the following symptoms:
People with diagnosed diabetes should see their healthcare provider several times a year. If it has been six months or longer since your last A1c or you are having difficulty managing your blood sugar, make an appointment for a diabetes check-up.
Diabetes management looks different for everyone. Some people are able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone. Others need insulin or other blood-sugar-lowering medications. If your current treatment isn’t working to control your blood sugar, your healthcare provider can help.
Summary
Uncontrolled diabetes can affect many organs of the body due to the damaging effects of high blood sugar. Many of the symptoms will clear once the blood sugar is brought under control. Others may cause permanent, irreversible damage.
Symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes include extreme fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, unintended weight loss, and blurred vision.
Severe cases of uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to a potentially life-threatening build-up of acids in the blood called diabetic ketoacidosis,
A Word From Verywell
Setting realistic goals can help you stay on track. By developing a healthy lifestyle routine you can stick with, you will be far more likely to control your diabetes while reducing the risk of other chronic diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease.
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Papatheodorou K, Banach M, Bekiari E, Rizzo M, Edmonds M.Complications of diabetes 2017.J Diabetes Res. 2018 Mar 11;2018:3086167. doi:10.1155/2018/3086167Tuttolomondo A., Maida C., Pinto A.Diabetic foot syndrome as a possible cardiovascular marker in diabetic patients.J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:12. doi:10.1155/2015/268390.268390U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus.Type 1 diabetes.Kianmehr H, Zhang P, Luo J, et al.Potential Gains in Life Expectancy Associated With Achieving Treatment Goals in US Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(4):e227705. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.7705American Diabetes Association.6. Glycemic targets: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022.Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Supplement 1): S83–96. doi:10.2337/dc22-S006Edmonds M, Manu C, Vas P.The current burden of diabetic foot disease.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021;17:83-91. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2021.01.017Everett E, Mathioudakis N.Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers.Ann NY Acad Sciences. 2018;1411(1):153-65. doi:10.1111/nyas.13569American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.Christ-Crain M.EJE AWARD 2019: new diagnostic approaches for patients with polyuria polydipsia syndrome.Eur J Endocrinol. 2019;181(1):R11-R21. doi:10.1530/EJE-19-0163Triplitt CL.Understanding the kidneys' role in blood glucose regulation.Am J Managed Care.2012;18(1):S11-6.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Urination - excessive amount.Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-9. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-xSeth P.Clinical profile of diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective study in a tertiary care hospital.JCDR. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/8586.5995American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) & ketones.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.Sayin N, Kara N, Pekel G.Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(1):92-108. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i1.92National Eye Institute.People with diabetes can prevent vision loss.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.American Heart Association.Peripheral artery disease and diabetes.Mayo Clinic.Ancanthosis nigricans.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum.Agrawal P, Pursnani N, Jose R, Farooqui M.Granuloma annulare: A rare dermatological manifestation of diabetes mellitus.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(10):3419-3421. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_616_19
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Papatheodorou K, Banach M, Bekiari E, Rizzo M, Edmonds M.Complications of diabetes 2017.J Diabetes Res. 2018 Mar 11;2018:3086167. doi:10.1155/2018/3086167Tuttolomondo A., Maida C., Pinto A.Diabetic foot syndrome as a possible cardiovascular marker in diabetic patients.J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:12. doi:10.1155/2015/268390.268390U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus.Type 1 diabetes.Kianmehr H, Zhang P, Luo J, et al.Potential Gains in Life Expectancy Associated With Achieving Treatment Goals in US Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(4):e227705. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.7705American Diabetes Association.6. Glycemic targets: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022.Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Supplement 1): S83–96. doi:10.2337/dc22-S006Edmonds M, Manu C, Vas P.The current burden of diabetic foot disease.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021;17:83-91. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2021.01.017Everett E, Mathioudakis N.Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers.Ann NY Acad Sciences. 2018;1411(1):153-65. doi:10.1111/nyas.13569American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.Christ-Crain M.EJE AWARD 2019: new diagnostic approaches for patients with polyuria polydipsia syndrome.Eur J Endocrinol. 2019;181(1):R11-R21. doi:10.1530/EJE-19-0163Triplitt CL.Understanding the kidneys' role in blood glucose regulation.Am J Managed Care.2012;18(1):S11-6.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Urination - excessive amount.Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-9. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-xSeth P.Clinical profile of diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective study in a tertiary care hospital.JCDR. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/8586.5995American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) & ketones.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.Sayin N, Kara N, Pekel G.Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(1):92-108. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i1.92National Eye Institute.People with diabetes can prevent vision loss.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.American Heart Association.Peripheral artery disease and diabetes.Mayo Clinic.Ancanthosis nigricans.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum.Agrawal P, Pursnani N, Jose R, Farooqui M.Granuloma annulare: A rare dermatological manifestation of diabetes mellitus.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(10):3419-3421. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_616_19
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Papatheodorou K, Banach M, Bekiari E, Rizzo M, Edmonds M.Complications of diabetes 2017.J Diabetes Res. 2018 Mar 11;2018:3086167. doi:10.1155/2018/3086167Tuttolomondo A., Maida C., Pinto A.Diabetic foot syndrome as a possible cardiovascular marker in diabetic patients.J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:12. doi:10.1155/2015/268390.268390U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus.Type 1 diabetes.Kianmehr H, Zhang P, Luo J, et al.Potential Gains in Life Expectancy Associated With Achieving Treatment Goals in US Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(4):e227705. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.7705American Diabetes Association.6. Glycemic targets: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022.Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Supplement 1): S83–96. doi:10.2337/dc22-S006Edmonds M, Manu C, Vas P.The current burden of diabetic foot disease.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021;17:83-91. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2021.01.017Everett E, Mathioudakis N.Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers.Ann NY Acad Sciences. 2018;1411(1):153-65. doi:10.1111/nyas.13569American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.Christ-Crain M.EJE AWARD 2019: new diagnostic approaches for patients with polyuria polydipsia syndrome.Eur J Endocrinol. 2019;181(1):R11-R21. doi:10.1530/EJE-19-0163Triplitt CL.Understanding the kidneys' role in blood glucose regulation.Am J Managed Care.2012;18(1):S11-6.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Urination - excessive amount.Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-9. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-xSeth P.Clinical profile of diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective study in a tertiary care hospital.JCDR. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/8586.5995American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) & ketones.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.Sayin N, Kara N, Pekel G.Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(1):92-108. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i1.92National Eye Institute.People with diabetes can prevent vision loss.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.American Heart Association.Peripheral artery disease and diabetes.Mayo Clinic.Ancanthosis nigricans.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum.Agrawal P, Pursnani N, Jose R, Farooqui M.Granuloma annulare: A rare dermatological manifestation of diabetes mellitus.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(10):3419-3421. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_616_19
Papatheodorou K, Banach M, Bekiari E, Rizzo M, Edmonds M.Complications of diabetes 2017.J Diabetes Res. 2018 Mar 11;2018:3086167. doi:10.1155/2018/3086167
Tuttolomondo A., Maida C., Pinto A.Diabetic foot syndrome as a possible cardiovascular marker in diabetic patients.J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:12. doi:10.1155/2015/268390.268390
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus.Type 1 diabetes.
Kianmehr H, Zhang P, Luo J, et al.Potential Gains in Life Expectancy Associated With Achieving Treatment Goals in US Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(4):e227705. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.7705
American Diabetes Association.6. Glycemic targets: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022.Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Supplement 1): S83–96. doi:10.2337/dc22-S006
Edmonds M, Manu C, Vas P.The current burden of diabetic foot disease.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021;17:83-91. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2021.01.017
Everett E, Mathioudakis N.Update on management of diabetic foot ulcers.Ann NY Acad Sciences. 2018;1411(1):153-65. doi:10.1111/nyas.13569
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.
Christ-Crain M.EJE AWARD 2019: new diagnostic approaches for patients with polyuria polydipsia syndrome.Eur J Endocrinol. 2019;181(1):R11-R21. doi:10.1530/EJE-19-0163
Triplitt CL.Understanding the kidneys' role in blood glucose regulation.Am J Managed Care.2012;18(1):S11-6.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Urination - excessive amount.
Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-9. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-x
Seth P.Clinical profile of diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective study in a tertiary care hospital.JCDR. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/8586.5995
American Diabetes Association.DKA (ketoacidosis) & ketones.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of diabetes.
Sayin N, Kara N, Pekel G.Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus.World J Diabetes. 2015;6(1):92-108. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i1.92
National Eye Institute.People with diabetes can prevent vision loss.
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.
American Heart Association.Peripheral artery disease and diabetes.
Mayo Clinic.Ancanthosis nigricans.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum.
Agrawal P, Pursnani N, Jose R, Farooqui M.Granuloma annulare: A rare dermatological manifestation of diabetes mellitus.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(10):3419-3421. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_616_19
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
