Healthcare professionals highlight that repeated fungal infections could be an early indicator of poorly controlled blood sugar levels, prompting calls for increased vigilance and testing.
People with mildly raised blood sugar may not notice any obvious symptoms, but the shift can still matter for infection risk. According to the Indian Express report, doctors say the strongest link is with established or poorly controlled diabetes, yet recurrent fungal infections can be an early clue that glucose regulation is not ideal. Mayo Clinic says prediabetes often develops quietly, with possible signs including thirst, frequent urination and fatigue, while many people have no symptoms at all.
Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, a consultant physician quoted by Indian Express, said persistently elevated glucose can weaken immune cells that help the body control infection and may also create conditions that favour Candida growth. That does not mean every fungal infection points to prediabetes, but repeated or slow-to-clear infections deserve attention, especially when other risk factors are present.
The infections most often associated with higher blood sugar include oral and genital candidiasis, along with athlete’s foot, ringworm and nail infections. Healthline and WebMD both note that yeast thrives in high-sugar environments, which helps explain why people with diabetes are more prone to thrush and yeast infections. A study indexed in PubMed also found that higher blood glucose was linked with a greater risk of candidemia in hospital patients, underscoring the broader connection between poor glycaemic control and fungal disease.
Reddy said there is no fixed number of infections that automatically signals diabetes, but recurrent or unusually persistent cases can justify blood sugar testing. Initial checks usually include fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c, with an oral glucose tolerance test sometimes used when results are unclear. The Indian Express article also cites the 2026 American Diabetes Association thresholds for prediabetes: an HbA1c of 5.7% to 6.4%, fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL, or a two-hour glucose reading of 140 to 199 mg/dL.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
