In brief
A long-term condition in which the body responds poorly to insulin and gradually makes less of it, so blood glucose stays too high.
- An HbA1c of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is diagnostic of diabetes, according to Pathology Tests Explained.
- A fasting glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or more suggests probable diabetes.
- About 1 in 10 people with pre-diabetes in Australia develops type 2 diabetes each year.
How it works
Symptoms can include feeling tired, hungry or thirsty, but many people have no symptoms at first. Risk factors include increasing age, a family history of diabetes, excess weight around the waist, low physical activity, a poor diet, smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol, previous gestational diabetes, PCOS and some ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Treatment helps prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye, foot and nerve problems. Type 2 diabetes is managed with a healthy diet, physical activity, losing weight if needed, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and medicines, and some people eventually need insulin. Losing 5% to 10% of body weight can noticeably improve blood glucose, and diabetes can go into remission, meaning glucose stays well controlled for at least 3 months without medicines.
Connections
19 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Type 2 diabetes can result from
Over time the pancreas may not make enough insulin, and about 1 in 10 people with pre-diabetes in Australia develops type 2 diabetes each year.
Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH), Insulin resistance and prediabetes; healthdirect Australia, Pre-diabetes
People with metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Untreated PCOS can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); healthdirect Australia, Type 2 diabetes
About 1 in 10 people with pre-diabetes in Australia develops type 2 diabetes each year, though lifestyle changes can help stop it.
Type 2 diabetes can be raised by
- Circadian disruption Supported
Long-term sleep loss and continually shifting circadian rhythms can increase the risk of diabetes, according to the NIH.
Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIH), Circadian rhythms
Type 2 diabetes is one of the complications whose risk rises with overweight or obesity.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Obesity; healthdirect Australia, Type 2 diabetes
- Added sugar Supported
Too much added sugar makes overweight more likely, with complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Sugar
- Sitting time Supported
Sitting for too long increases the risk of diabetes.
Source: Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), The dangers of sitting
Type 2 diabetes can raise
Kidney disease is one of the complications of type 2 diabetes, and diabetes is a main risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Type 2 diabetes; Kidney Health Australia, Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes is a risk factor for stroke, and stroke is one of the complications of type 2 diabetes.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Stroke; healthdirect Australia, Type 2 diabetes
- Dementia Supported
Diabetes is one of the risk factors for dementia.
Source: Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Dementia: reducing your risk
Type 2 diabetes is measured by
An HbA1c of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is diagnostic of diabetes.
Source: Pathology Tests Explained, HbA1c
A fasting glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or more suggests probable diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be lowered by
A poor diet is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and eating a healthy diet helps manage it.
Low physical activity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and being physically active helps manage it.
Type 2 diabetes has been studied with
- Berberine Emerging
Berberine has been studied for its effects on blood sugar.
Source: NIH NCCIH, Goldenseal
Type 2 diabetes can cause
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include feeling tired, hungry or thirsty.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to
Diabetes is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and heart disease is a complication of type 2 diabetes.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Coronary heart disease; healthdirect Australia, Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects
Kidney disease is a complication of type 2 diabetes, according to healthdirect.
Lab tests
- HbA1cShows what your blood glucose levels have been like over the past two to three months.
- Blood glucose (fasting) and glucose tolerance testMeasures the glucose in your blood at the time of the test. A fasting sample or a 2-hour glucose tolerance test can help diagnose diabetes.
- Kidney function tests (creatinine and eGFR)Blood and urine tests that show how well your kidneys are clearing waste, including creatinine, eGFR, urea and the urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect and Pathology Tests Explained. Sources read on 16 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.