Frequent Urination (Polyuria) and Type 1 Diabetes

Polyuria occurs when your body urinates more frequently—and often in larger amounts—than normal. Frequent urination is also a symptom of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes that can lead to extreme dehydration and eventually affect your kidney function.

What causes frequent urination with diabetes?

Polyuria in diabetes occurs when you have excess levels of sugar in the blood. Normally, when your kidneys create urine, they reabsorb all of the sugar and direct it back to the bloodstream. With type 1 diabetes, excess glucose ends up in the urine, where it pulls more water and results in more urine.

What should I do if I think I’m experiencing type 1 diabetes-related polyuria?

If you find you are suddenly urinating more frequently—especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms—it’s important to see your doctor. As we mentioned above the dehydration that results from polyuria, or excessive urination, can lead to kidney problems—or even diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening.