Doctors are warning that your feet may reveal more about your health than you think — especially when it comes to diabetes. According to specialists, the feet act like a natural “blood sugar meter,” often showing early warning signs long before a diagnosis is made.

Medical experts say that when blood sugar remains high for a long time, the nerves and small blood vessels in the feet are usually the first to be damaged. That’s why many diabetic patients recall experiencing unusual symptoms in their feet months — even years — before they were officially diagnosed.

Here are 12 foot-related symptoms that should prompt an early check-up:

• Persistent numbness or tingling

• Burning pain

• Cold feet despite warm temperatures

• Slow-healing wounds

• Sudden swelling

• Cramping in the calves or feet

• Sharp stabbing sensations

• Loss of sensitivity to heat or pressure

• Changes in skin color

• Peeling, dryness, or cracking

• Thickened or discolored toenails

• Recurrent infections or fungal issues

Doctors urge people to pay close attention to these subtle signs, especially those with risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes, or a sedentary lifestyle.

Early detection remains the best weapon. “Your feet often speak before your blood tests do,” one endocrinologist noted. “Ignoring these signs can delay diagnosis and lead to serious complications.”