Is Frequent Nighttime Urination a Sign of Diabetes?

Is Frequent Nighttime Urination a Sign of Diabetes?

Reviewed by Michael Dansinger, MD on June 15, 2024

Written by Maureen Salamon

3 min read

Waking up several times during the night to urinate might leave you wondering if something’s wrong. Most adults only need to use the bathroom once during a 6-8 hour sleep period. If you’re going more frequently, doctors call it nocturia, and it could be an early warning sign of diabetes.

Why Could It Be Diabetes?

Increased urination is one of the most common early symptoms of diabetes, affecting both daytime and nighttime. High blood sugar levels cause the kidneys to work harder to filter out excess glucose, leading to more urine production—even while you sleep.

Additionally, diabetes can damage the kidneys or bladder, which may also result in frequent urination.

Other Possible Causes of Nighttime Urination

While diabetes is a common culprit, it’s not the only reason you might be waking up to pee. Other potential causes include:

Age: As you get older, your body produces less of the hormone that controls urine production at night, causing more urine to fill your bladder. Age can also reduce the bladder's capacity to hold urine.

Excessive Fluid Intake: Drinking too much fluid, especially before bed, can fill your bladder and lead to frequent urination.

Diabetes Insipidus: A condition unrelated to diabetes that results in excessive urine production by the kidneys.

Other health conditions, such as:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Heart failure

Enlarged prostate

Pregnancy

Chronic kidney failure

Bladder or prostate tumors

Liver failure

Sleep apnea

Additional Symptoms of Diabetes

If diabetes is the cause of your nighttime urination, you may experience other symptoms, such as:

Increased thirst

Increased hunger

Unexplained weight loss

Blurry vision

Fatigue

Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet

Frequent infections and slow wound healing

If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to consult your doctor for further evaluation.

How to Get an Accurate Diagnosis

Diabetes is a serious condition that requires medical attention. Your doctor can perform several tests to confirm if you have diabetes or rule it out. Common diagnostic tests include:

A1c Test: This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. An A1c of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes, while below 5.7% is considered normal.

Fasting Blood Sugar Test: After fasting overnight, a blood test is done. If your blood sugar is 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions, it suggests diabetes. A level below 100 mg/dL is normal.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): After fasting, you'll drink a sugary beverage and have blood tests taken before and 2 hours after drinking it. Blood sugar over 200 mg/dL after 2 hours confirms diabetes, while less than 140 mg/dL is normal.

Random Blood Sugar Test: A blood sample is taken at any time of the day. A reading of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

If you're concerned about your nighttime urination or other symptoms, speak with your doctor to determine the cause.

"Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. Reliance on any information provided on this blog is solely at your own risk."