The NHS also said you may have to call 111 or 999 in more serious cases
The NHS has said that anyone who feels “thirsty” may need to “call 111”. Taking to social media, the health service said if ignored, it could be “fatal.”
In its post, it took to X, formerly Twitter, and said: “Do you know the signs of type 1 diabetes? They can happen at any age, and if left undiagnosed, it can be fatal.”
With this in mind, it urged people to learn the four T’s. “The most common symptoms are the 4 Ts: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired, Thinner”, it explained.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your body cannot make the hormone insulin. This causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to get too high.
The NHS adds: “If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to manage your blood glucose levels. There’s currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed by checking your blood glucose regularly, tracking what you eat and drink, and adjusting how much insulin you take.”
Four T’s
According to the NHS there are four Ts to remember. These are:
- Toilet – “going for a wee more often, especially at night”
- Thirsty – “being constantly thirsty and drinking more than usual”
- Tired – “being very tired and having less energy.”
- Thinner – “losing weight without trying to or looking thinner than usual”
Call 111
After sharing these common signs, the NHS warned: “Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you think you or your child has type 1 diabetes.”
According to the NHS website, other signs of type 1 diabetes include:
- blurred vision
- breath that smells sweet or fruity (like nail polish remover or pear drop sweets)
- cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
- getting frequent infections or infections that do not get better, such as thrush or nappy rash
The NHS warns: “The symptoms develop quickly, over a few days or weeks.”
Call 999
The NHS adds that if you should call 999 if you or your child has been peeing more, feeling very thirsty and tired, and:
- your symptoms are getting worse quickly
- you have stomach pain, diarrhoea, or you’re feeling or being sick
- you’re feeling sleepy or confused
- you’re breathing faster and more deeply than usual
“These could be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly”, it cautions.
Diabetes UK has a free helpline that’s open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. You can call 0345 123 2399 or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk for support and advice.