Six warning signs your body is heading towards diabetes

In the UK, around 6 million people are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, often without realising it until complications bite. Yet the early warnings are there, written on our skin, our waistlines, our sleep, and our energy.

On TikTok, creator Jade Rivers - who says she has reversed insulin resistance - regularly posts videos urging people to learn more and change habits to do the same.

In a video titled “Here’s what a body looks like that’s heading towards diabetes”, she outlines warning signs, why they happen, and what to do about them.

“If your body looks like this, chances are you're headed towards type 2 diabetes,” she begins.

Dark patches

The first thing Jade mentions are dark patches underneath arms, which are often a sign of acanthosis nigricans (AN), a condition that can be caused by insulin resistance and is frequently associated with diabetes or pre-diabetes. This condition causes dark, thickened, and velvety patches of skin in areas with skin folds like underarms or neck.

Skin tags

Secondly, skin tags can be a marker for type 2 diabetes, as studies show a link between having numerous skin tags and a higher risk of insulin resistance and diabetes, according to the NHS. However, it’s important to note skin tags are not definitive proof of diabetes, and their presence alone doesn't mean you have the condition. 

Waistline

Jade notes another red flag: a waist circumference greater than half your height. Factually, carrying excess fat around the waist (visceral fat) is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease - even if your BMI looks “normal”. UK guidance increasingly focuses on waist‑to‑height ratio: aim for below 0.5, with 0.6 or more indicating high risk. As a rough reference, larger waist measurements (particularly above 94 cm/37 in for men and 80 cm/31.5 in for women) signal increased cardiometabolic risk.

She also adds: “If you touch your stomach and it's hard and dense, you're insulin resistant because your body is [likely] stuck in fat-storing mode.” 

Feet swelling

Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves over time, reducing circulation and leading to fluid build‑up in the lower legs and feet. Persistent swelling warrants medical review, as it can also be related to heart, kidney or venous problems - conditions that may accompany diabetes.

Sleep apnea

A vicious cycle can develop when excess weight contributes to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Interrupted breathing reduces oxygen levels, which can drive insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose. Poor sleep quality also raises blood pressure and strains the heart, worsening diabetes‑related risks. If you snore loudly, gasp at night, or feel unrefreshed, ask your GP about assessment for OSA.

Hump on the back of the neck

Jade mentions a “buffalo hump” - a fat pad over the back of the neck and shoulders. The symptom is technically a fat deposit on the back of the neck and shoulders and is a common sign of Cushing's syndrome, which is caused by having too much of the hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels can be a result of prolonged high blood sugar in diabetes, which may trigger the body to accumulate fat in this area.

“And what's crazy is you can go to your doctor but you're just going to get a pill for each of these symptoms,” Jade says. “But these are all just signs and you can do something about it today.” 

She adds: “Our bloodstream should only have a teaspoon of sugar in it at most at a time. But with our modern food environment and the foods that we're eating, we have well over that in our bloodstream. But the key to controlling that is right here.”

Lifestyle changes - nutrient‑dense eating, regular movement, better sleep, and weight management - are powerful. Equally, NHS care is there to diagnose, support and, when appropriate, prescribe treatments.