If you are living with diabetes or have just crossed forty, your GP is one of the most important partners in your long-term health. Diabetes often develops quietly and can affect multiple organs long before you feel sick. This is why GPs look for early warning signs at every check-up, not just your blood sugar [1].
Here are the five red flags GPs pay attention to during a diabetes screening. Many are easy to miss at home, but they reveal important clues about your overall health.
1. Numbness, Tingling, or Burning in the Feet
Your feet can reveal early nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar. You may feel:
- Pins and needles (especially at night)
- A burning sensation
- Reduced feeling in your toes
How the GP Checks: They will likely perform the Monofilament Test. They touch a thin plastic wire to your toes and ask, “Can you feel this?” If you can’t, it signals Diabetic Neuropathy. This is nerve damage that destroys your ability to feel pain, increasing the risk of silent ulcers and infection [2].
2. Blurry or Fluctuating Vision
Many people assume vision changes mean ageing or screen fatigue. For someone with diabetes, it can be a sign of early damage to the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye (Retina).
How the GP Checks: Your GP cannot see your retina just by looking at you. If you mention “foggy” vision or difficulty seeing at night, they will refer you for Retinal Photography or a dilated eye exam. This is the only way to detect Diabetic Retinopathy before it causes permanent vision loss.
3. Unexplained Fatigue or Increased Thirst
General tiredness or drinking water “all the time” can be dismissed as stress or Singapore’s hot weather. However, these are classic signs of Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
How the GP Checks: They don’t just guess. They look at your HbA1c result.
- HbA1c < 6.0%: Normal.
- HbA1c > 7.0%: Indicates that your average blood sugar has been high for the past 3 months. This explains why you feel exhausted, as your cells aren’t getting the energy they need[1].
4. Wounds That Heal Slowly
A small cut or blister may seem harmless, but slow healing is a significant red flag. It suggests that high sugar levels are stiffening your blood vessels. This reduces the blood flow needed to repair skin.
How the GP Checks: They will examine your legs and feet for:
- Shiny, hairless skin (a sign of poor blood supply)
- Fungal infections between the toes
- Old scars that look brown or discoloured
5. High Blood Pressure (The “Silent Partner”)
Diabetes and high blood pressure are a dangerous pair. Over time, this combination doubles the stress on your kidneys and heart.
How the GP Checks: A single high reading might just be stress (“White Coat Syndrome”). GPs look for a consistent trend above 130/80 mmHg. Even if your sugar is controlled, high blood pressure can still destroy your kidneys if left untreated.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The Ministry of Health recommends regular screening for adults aged 40 and above, especially if you have [3]:
- A family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure (>130/80 mmHg)
- High cholesterol
- A BMI of 23 or higher (Overweight)
- A history of gestational diabetes
Why Your GP Is the Right Person
A GP does far more than check your sugar level. They look at your health as a whole to:
- Detect early complications (Nerve, Eye, Kidney).
- Adjust medication to protect your organs, not just lower sugar.
- Refer you to subsidised specialists (e.g., Polyclinic referrals) if needed.
Tip: Under Screen for Life, eligible Singaporeans pay $5 or less for these screenings at CHAS GP clinics. This fee covers the test and the doctor’s consultation.
Key Takeaways
- Numb feet are a warning sign of nerve damage, so never skip the foot check.
- Blurry vision requires a specific retinal scan, not just a vision test.
- Thirst and fatigue are often the first signs your HbA1c is too high.
- Slow healing indicates your blood vessels are under stress.
- Early screening ($5 or less) prevents these silent issues from becoming permanent.
References
- Ministry of Health Singapore. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Diabetes Mellitus. (2014).
- HealthHub. Diabetes: Signs, Symptoms and Complications. (Last Updated 2025).
- SingHealth. Type 2 Diabetes: Early Signs and Symptoms. (n.d.).
Editorial Note
This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Screening recommendations and subsidy amounts may be updated by the Ministry of Health over time. Readers should confirm current eligibility and pricing with their GP or clinic before booking a screening.