Excessive thirst and urination — which specialty
Drinking constantly and passing far more urine than before.
Usually seen by
Endocrinology
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- Kidney and urology — with swelling or a change in urine colour
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- With rapid weight loss and exhaustion
- With deep rapid breathing, unusual breath odour, or drowsiness
- With nausea and abdominal pain in someone already known to have diabetes
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- How many litres a day, and how many times you pass urine
- How often you get up at night
- Whether you have lost weight, how much and over how long
- Whether anyone in the family has diabetes
- Whether there is blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, or genital itching
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- A three-day record of fluid taken and times passing urine
- Previous glucose results
- Weight against dates
What a first visit usually involves
- Blood glucose and HbA1c
- Urine testing
- General examination for associated signs