Diabetes is rampant in the U.S. It affects as many as 21 million people – and that’s not even counting the roughly 8 million people who don’t know they have it. Often referred to as the “silent killer,” many people walk around with signs of type 2 diabetes for years without going to the doctor. Suddenly, they develop a serious complication like blindness, kidney disease or heart disease, and are only then diagnosed.

As with most health issues, the earlier diabetes is detected the sooner complications can be treated or prevented. While the best way to pick up on type 2 diabetes is to have a blood sugar test, you can get a good indication of your prognosis before seeing your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.

Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

Excessive thirst and increased urination. When there is an excessive amount of sugar built up in your blood, your kidneys kick into high gear to release it from your body. This results in increased urination, which may leave you thirsty.

Increased appetite. When your blood sugar drops, it tricks your body into thinking it hasn’t been fed in a while. As a result, it craves the glucose that your cells need to function. An increased level of insulin in the body also stimulates hunger.

Unexplained weight loss. Surprisingly, many people with type 2 diabetes lose weight. When glucose can’t get to the cells to be used as energy, the body starts breaking down protein from your muscles and fat as alternate sources of fuel. Calories are also lost as excess glucose is released in the urine.

Tingling or numbness. If you feel tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, it may be a sign that your nerves are being damaged by diabetes. If the symptoms are recent, it’s likely to be reversible. However, when blood sugar levels are elevated for too long, neuropathy is permanent.

Frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes makes it difficult for your body to heal and resist infections. This is because your blood vessels are being damaged by the excessive amounts of sugar traveling through the veins and arteries.

Blurry vision. When your blood sugar levels are high, fluid may be pulled from your eyes, which changes the shape of the lens. Therefore, those with type 2 diabetes may experience distorted vision and seeing floaters or occasional flashes of light.