Ninox Health
Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?
The silent condition affecting hundreds of thousands of Australians — and why you should take this quick quiz today.
In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to brush off feeling tired, thirsty, or a little foggy. But what if those small, persistent symptoms are signs of something much bigger?
Across Australia, it’s estimated that up to 500,000 people are living with type 2 diabetes — and don’t even know it. That’s half a million people at risk of serious complications, all without realising what’s happening inside their bodies.
Unlike some diseases that present sudden or obvious symptoms, type 2 diabetes is often silent. It can progress gradually, damaging organs and blood vessels over years before it’s diagnosed. In some cases, people only find out they have diabetes after a heart attack, stroke, or another major health event.
How does diabetes go undiagnosed?
The truth is, the early signs of type 2 diabetes can be subtle or mistaken for everyday fatigue or ageing. And because the condition develops gradually, many people adapt to their symptoms without realising something is wrong.
But that doesn’t make it harmless.
Undiagnosed diabetes can silently cause long-term damage to your:
- Heart and blood vessels
- Kidneys
- Eyes and vision
- Nerves (especially in your hands and feet)
- Gums and teeth
The numbers you need to know
If you’re not concerned yet, consider these statistics:
• 1 in 20 Australians has type 2 diabetes — and many more are undiagnosed.
• Every day, 280 people are diagnosed — that’s one every 5 minutes.
• 1 in 3 people with diabetes may not know they have it.
• Up to 58% of cases can be delayed or prevented with early action.
• People with undiagnosed diabetes are up to 15 times more likely to develop heart disease.
Are you at risk?
You don’t have to feel unwell to be at risk. You may feel completely fine — and still be living with high blood sugar levels.
You’re at higher risk if you:
- Are over 40 years old
- Have a parent or sibling with diabetes
- Carry extra weight, especially around your waist
- Have a history of high blood pressure or blood sugar
- Are from an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, South Asian, or Middle Eastern background
- Don’t exercise regularly or eat fruit and vegetables every day
- Smoke regularly
Early detection matters
The earlier diabetes is detected, the sooner steps can be taken to manage it — and possibly reverse it. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes like improved diet, weight loss, and regular movement can prevent it from progressing at all.
But to act, you first need to know.
Take the 2-Minute Diabetes Risk Quiz
To help you find out where you stand, we’ve put together a quick quiz based on the official AusDrisk Tool, a government-backed assessment used by doctors across Australia.
✔️ No medical jargon
✔️ Just 10 simple questions
✔️ Instant results based on your answers
✔️ Clear guidance on what to do next
It only takes two minutes — and it could change everything.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Diabetes: Australian facts, 2022
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/diabetes/diabetes/contents/summary - Diabetes Australia, Understanding Diabetes: The Numbers, 2024
https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/understanding-diabetes/ - Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, AusDrisk Tool, 2024
https://www.baker.edu.au - International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Diabetes Atlas, 10th edition, 2021
https://diabetesatlas.org/ - World Health Organization, Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2023
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes