World Diabetes Day 2026, spotting diabetes early

World Diabetes Day is on Saturday 14 November 2026. This year's theme is "Early action on diabetes". It focuses on earlier diagnosis, access to good care and reducing the stigma that can stop people asking for help.

Acting early really matters. In type 1 diabetes, spotting the signs quickly can save a life. In type 2 diabetes, finding it early, or even before it starts, can prevent serious problems with the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and feet.

Early signs of type 1 diabetes: the 4 Ts

Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood or young adulthood, but it can start at any age. Symptoms can come on quickly, over days or weeks.

Diabetes UK uses the 4 Ts to help people spot it:

• Toilet: peeing more, especially at night, or bedwetting in a child who was dry
• Thirsty: being very thirsty
• Tired: feeling very tired
• Thinner: losing weight without trying

Other signs include blurred vision, thrush and cuts that heal slowly.

If type 1 diabetes is suspected, you will usually be referred to a specialist team the same day, because treatment with insulin needs to start quickly. Read more about type 1 diabetes.

Early signs of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. About 9 in 10 people with diabetes in the UK have type 2. It often develops slowly, and many people have no symptoms at first. That is why checks are so important.

Signs can include:

• peeing more, especially at night
• feeling very thirsty
• feeling tired
• losing weight without trying
• itching around the genitals, or repeated thrush
• cuts that heal slowly
• blurred vision

See a GP if you have any of these, or if you are worried.

Are you at higher risk?

You are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you:

• are over 40, or over 25 if you are of South Asian heritage
• have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• are overweight, especially around the waist
• are of South Asian, Chinese, Black African or African-Caribbean heritage
• have high blood pressure
• had diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

You can check your risk in a few minutes with the free Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool. In England, adults aged 40 to 74 without a heart or circulation condition are also invited for a free NHS Health Check every 5 years.

Prediabetes: the chance to act early

A blood test called HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months.

Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than it should be, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes. This is the best time to act. Healthy changes can stop it turning into type 2 diabetes.

In England, you may be offered a place on the free NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which can help stop prediabetes becoming type 2 diabetes.

For some people who already have type 2 diabetes, losing weight, especially soon after diagnosis, can put it into remission. This means blood sugar stays in a healthy range without diabetes medicine. Read more about type 2 diabetes.

Already have diabetes? Act early on complications

Acting early is not just about diagnosis. Everyone with diabetes should have these checks at least once a year, to catch problems early:

• HbA1c blood test
• eye screening
• foot check
• kidney tests
• blood pressure and cholesterol

If you have not had your checks this year, ask your GP practice.

Help with costs

• Prescriptions: in England, if your diabetes is treated with medicine, you can get a medical exemption certificate, which makes all your NHS prescriptions free. In Wales, prescriptions are free for everyone. Read about free NHS prescriptions.
• Eye tests: people with diabetes can get free NHS sight tests. Read about free eye tests.
• Benefits: if diabetes affects your daily life, you may be able to get PIP, or DLA for a child. Read type 1 diabetes, work and benefits and type 2 diabetes, work and benefits.

Five ways to act early this World Diabetes Day

1. Learn the 4 Ts and share them with family and friends, especially parents.
2. Check your risk of type 2 diabetes with the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool.
3. Book a check with your GP or go to your NHS Health Check if you are invited.
4. Keep up with your yearly checks if you already have diabetes.
5. Talk about it. Reducing stigma helps people ask for help sooner.