🧬 Not sure where to start? Try searching for your diagnosis above or visit the “Diseases” section.
GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) antibodies
IA-2 antibodies
Insulin autoantibodies (IAA)
ZnT8 antibodies
These confirm autoimmune involvement and help distinguish Type 1 from Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, the body can’t properly regulate blood sugar (glucose), leading to dangerously high levels.
People with Type 1 diabetes need daily insulin therapy to survive. It usually starts in childhood or young adulthood, but it can occur at any age.
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Increased hunger (polyphagia)
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue or weakness
Blurred vision
Irritability or mood changes
Fruity-smelling breath (a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis)
Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
In children, symptoms can come on suddenly and may be mistaken for a flu-like illness.
T1DM is caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The exact trigger is unknown, but contributing factors include:
Genetics – certain genes (like HLA types) increase risk
Environmental triggers – viral infections (e.g., enteroviruses)
Autoimmune dysfunction – the immune system mistakes healthy beta cells for invaders
Diagnosis is made through blood tests:
Fasting blood glucose or random glucose test
Hemoglobin A1C (average blood sugar over 2–3 months)
C-peptide test (to check insulin production—low in T1DM)
Autoantibody tests (to confirm autoimmune cause)
There is no cure, but with the right treatment, people can live long, healthy lives:
Daily insulin therapy (injections or pump)
Frequent blood glucose monitoring or continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
Carbohydrate counting and balanced diet
Regular exercise
Stress management
Glucagon emergency kits for severe hypoglycemia
With proper treatment and lifestyle adjustments, people with T1DM can live full, active lives
Complications can occur without good blood sugar control, including:
Eye problems (retinopathy)
Kidney damage
Nerve damage
Heart disease
Ongoing support and monitoring help reduce risks
Affects about 1.6 million people in the U.S.
Can occur at any age, but most are diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults
Slightly more common in Caucasians and those with family history
American Diabetes Association. (2023). Type 1 Diabetes.
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/type-1
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Type 1 Diabetes.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). About Type 1 Diabetes.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type1.html
Atkinson, M. A., Eisenbarth, G. S., & Michels, A. W. (2014). Type 1 diabetes. The Lancet, 383(9911), 69–82.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60591-7
No frequently asked questions found.
No related content found.
No related content found.
