You’re tired, often thirsty, irritable, more hungry than you used to be. Maybe you’ve noticed that you get more frequent vaginal infections, or your vision is sometimes blurry. Some women tend to “explain away” these kinds of health symptoms, particularly when they come on gradually.

“You’re already juggling multiple obligations,” says Duke certified diabetes educator Jan Nicollerat, MSN. “You might not feel well, but you also might not feel like you can spare the time to see your doctor.”

Nicollerat says it’s important for women to understand that these vague symptoms could be signs of diabetes -- and that diabetes is a leading cause of death for women between the ages of 45 and 65. Women with diabetes have a two- to four-times greater risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes than women without diabetes.

All women, particularly those who are overweight or who have a family member with diabetes, should know their blood glucose levels. Primary care physicians usually measure this as part of the bloodwork done for a regular check-up.

If your fasting glucose level is above 100, you are at high risk for diabetes; if the level reaches 126 you may already have diabetes, particularly if you are experiencing fatigue, increasing thirst, increasing urination, increasing appetite, or blurred vision.