<![CDATA[Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a major global health concern, with a substantial proportion of cases remaining undiagnosed. Delayed detection is particularly problematic in countries with high disease burden, where individuals often present only after complications have developed. Early-stage type 2 diabetes is frequently asymptomatic or characterized by subtle and non-specific manifestations, contributing to diagnostic delay and missed prevention opportunities. This study aims to identify patient-recognizable “warning” indicators observed prior to formal diagnosis and to examine their relevance for health promotion and opportunistic screening. A qualitative case study approach was employed to explore symptom experiences among individuals previously undiagnosed with DM. Data were analyzed descriptively to generate insight into how these manifestations may function within early detection pathways. The findings indicate that hypertension, neuropathic complaints (such as numbness and tingling), excessive daytime sleepiness, and persistent fatigue commonly preceded diagnosis. These manifestations are not diagnostic in themselves; rather, they function as pragmatic screening prompts that may facilitate earlier symptom appraisal and engagement with health services when interpreted alongside established metabolic risk factors. The study underscores the importance of integrating symptom awareness with risk-based screening, confirmatory testing, and structured referral pathways. Reframing everyday symptom experience as an entry point into coordinated detection systems may help reduce diagnostic delay and strengthen health promotion strategies for undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.]]>
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