What is Type 1 Diabetes? Symptoms and Treatment of T1D

Living with type 1 diabetes can feel overwhelming, but understanding what type 1 diabetes is represents the first step toward taking control of your health. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, preventing your body from properly processing glucose. Without insulin, sugar builds up in your bloodstream instead of fueling your cells, leading to serious complications if left untreated. While there’s no cure, people with type 1 diabetes can lead full, active lives through proper management, monitoring, and treatment.

What is Type 1 Diabetes? Key Takeaways

• Type 1 diabetes, known as juvenile diabetes of T1D, is an autoimmune disorder that prevents the body from producing enough insulin.
• Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes a combination of insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and diet and lifestyle changes.
• A strong healthcare team— including your doctor, diabetes educator, and dietitian— can help with managing diabetes and living with this condition

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that stops the production of insulin, leading to excess glucose in the bloodstream. This article covers everything you need to know about type 1 diabetes, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that affects how the body uses glucose. Other names for type 1 include diabetes mellitus and juvenile diabetes.

Our body needs glucose, a type of sugar, for energy. For the body to access this energy, insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, enables glucose to move from the bloodstream to the cells. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb glucose, leaving the body with excess glucose (blood sugar) in the bloodstream.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus: type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 (T2D). Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder where the immune disorder attacks the islet cells, or cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar and potentially life-threatening complications.

Type 1 diabetes typically develops in childhood, but you can be diagnosed at any time. According to the American Diabetes Association, 304,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 in the United States have diagnosed diabetes.

The Role of Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. The body will produce little or no insulin once enough insulin cells are destroyed.

• After eating, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream.
• Insulin allows cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream.
• This process lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
• The pancreas slows down insulin production as blood sugar levels drop.

The Role of Glucose

Glucose is a type of sugar and source of energy for the cells. It is used to provide energy in the body, to fuel you and your muscles as you go about your day. When people talk about blood sugar or blood glucose levels, they mean the amount of glucose in your bloodstream.

• Glucose comes from the food we eat and is also produced by the liver.
• After glucose is absorbed by the bloodstream, insulin helps transport it into the cells.
• Without insulin, the body can have a build up of glucose, causing high blood sugar and health complications.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have similar symptoms. However, symptoms for type 1 can develop suddenly and may include:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Bed-wetting in children who have never wet the bed
• Irritability and mood changes
• Losing weight without trying
• Feeling very hungry
• Fatigue and weakness
• Blurry vision or vision loss
• High or low blood sugar

Children with type 1 diabetes will often exhibit the above symptoms. A potty-trained child who suddenly starts wetting the bed could be a warning sign of type 1 diabetes.

While diabetes can easily be diagnosed with blood glucose checks, it can be hard to recognize symptoms in your child. It is important to know the warning signs and see a doctor if your child is experiencing symptoms. Infants can also develop type 1 diabetes.

In some cases, children can be in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by the time they are diagnosed. DKA is a severe and life-threatening diabetes complication. It occurs when insufficient insulin leads to a buildup of ketones, an acid, in the bloodstream. DKA is a medical emergency and requires immediate care, often involving hospitalization for insulin and IV fluids.

Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

• Fruity-smelling breath
• Flu-like symptoms
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fast and deep breathing
• Drowsiness
• Dry skin and mouth
• Rapid pulse
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Causes of Diabetes

The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. The condition is believed to be the result of an autoimmune reaction, where the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells (islet cells) in the pancreas. As a result, the body produces little to no insulin, leading to high blood sugar.

Other possible causes of type 1 diabetes include:

• Genetics
• Environmental factors
• Exposure to certain viruses

Type 1 diabetes typically appears in childhood or adolescence, but it can develop at any time.

How is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed?

There are several ways to test if you have diabetes. These include:

• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG): This blood test checks your blood glucose after not eating for at least 8 hours.
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): This 2-hour test checks your blood su`gar levels before and 2 hours after drinking a sugary drink. This tells your doctor how your body processes glucose. This method is also used to diagnose gestational diabetes.
• A1C: The A1C, or hemoglobin, test checks your average blood glucose over the last few months.
• Glucose test: This blood test checks your blood glucose level at any time of the day.

Your doctor may also check your insulin and antibody levels. People with type 1 diabetes will typically have low insulin levels. If newly diagnosed, you may also have high antibody levels from your body’s immune response against the pancreas.

Risk Factors

Unlike type 2, you can not prevent type 1 diabetes. However, it is important to be aware of the factors that can increase your risk. Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:

• Age: Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but it is much more likely to develop from childhood to early adulthood. You are at an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes when under 40.
• Family history: Having an immediate family member, like a parent or sibling, with type 1 diabetes increases your risk.
• Race and ethnicity: White people in the United States are at an increased risk of type 1 diabetes than African Americans and Hispanic or Latino people.

While type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented, understanding these factors can help you be more aware in recognizing early signs and seeking appropriate medical attention.

Management and Treatment

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition, and there is no cure.

Treatment involves managing blood glucose levels through taking insulin, monitoring blood sugar with a blood glucose meter, and minimizing diabetes complications through diet and lifestyle changes.

Type 1 diabetes management takes a lot of work, but you do not have to do it alone. Your health care team- which includes your doctor, nutritionist, diabetes educator, and pharmacist- will help you and guide you every step of the way. Having a good support system can help you manage your diagnosis and stay accountable.

What is Life Like With Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes management requires careful and constant monitoring of your blood glucose levels as well as lifestyle changes.

People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to manage blood sugar levels. You can take insulin injections or wear an insulin pump. Another option is an automated insulin delivery device, which is an insulin pump system that automatically increases or decreases insulin delivery based on your blood glucose levels.

Insulin pills are not an option because the acid in your stomach would destroy the insulin before it reaches the bloodstream. Your health care team can help you determine which insulin method is best for your lifestyle and needs.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you also need to check your blood sugar regularly using a blood glucose meter. Your doctor will work with you to determine your target blood glucose levels as well as how often to check them. Aiming to keep your blood sugar levels in their targeted range can help prevent diabetes complications. You may also use a continuous glucose monitor, a medical device that tracks glucose levels in real-time.

What is the Long-Term Outlook on Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition with no cure. Treatment requires your attention every day. However, this does not mean that life with type 1 diabetes is limited.

With appropriate treatment, research suggests that people with type 1 diabetes can lead long and healthy lives. The condition does not prevent people from working full-time, raising a family, or traveling. Taking insulin daily, monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly, and living a healthy lifestyle can improve your prognosis.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment Tools

You will need to take insulin and monitor your blood sugar daily if you have type 1 diabetes. Fortunately, there are devices that make this process easier. Think of these as tools in your type 1 diabetes tool kit.

• Blood glucose meter: This is a device used to check your blood sugar at any given time. You need to prick your finger to get a reading and may need to do so throughout the day as needed. Meters are available over the counter at most pharmacies.
• Continuous glucose monitor (CGM): This is a medical device that continuously monitors blood sugar without the need for finger pricks. This is a more expensive option for type 1 diabetes but may be covered by insurance.
• Insulin pump: This is a wearable medical device that continuously releases insulin. It helps with blood glucose control. Insulin pumps are recommended for people with type 1 diabetes who have trouble managing blood sugar with insulin injections.
• Automated insulin delivery device: This is an insulin pump system that pairs with a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) that automatically increases or decreases insulin delivery based on your blood sugar at any given time. Insulin pumps are a good option for people with type 1 diabetes who need insulin often throughout the day.

Complications of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can cause adverse health effects over time, especially if the condition is not managed properly. Chronic high blood sugar caused by diabetes mellitus affect every part of the body over time, including the heart, nerves, blood vessels, eyes and kidneys. They include:

• Heart disease and blood vessel damage: Diabetes increases your risk of cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease. Other complications include heart attack, stroke, chest pain, narrowing of the blood vessel arteries, as well as high blood sugar and high blood pressure.
• Digestive and kidney diseases: Diabetes can damage the kidneys, which keep waste from entering the blood. Overtime, this can lead to kidney failure or kidney disease as a result. Sometimes dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required if kidney disease is severe.
• Nerve damage: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that keep nerves healthy. This can lead to tingling, numbing, pain, and burning sensations in the extremities. Poorly controlled blood glucose could lead to total body numbness over time. Nerve damage in the digestive system can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Pregnancy complications: High blood sugar levels throughout pregnancy can pose health risks for the mother and baby. It increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia (high blood pressure), diabetic ketoacidosis, and birth defects.

Type 1 diabetes can also cause eye damage (diabetic retinopathy) and foot damage if nerve damage occurs in these areas. Chronic high blood sugar also increases your risk of skin and mouth conditions like bacterial and fungal infections.

If you have type 1 diabetes, it is essential to take your diabetes care seriously. Keeping your blood sugar levels in check through insulin injections and blood glucose or blood sugar monitoring is essential for avoiding long-term damage and complications.

How Does Type 1 Diabetes Differ From Type 2?

Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2, affecting only 8% of people living with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

While both type 1 and type 2 diabetes affect blood sugar, they are distinct conditions. Type 2 diabetes causes insulin resistance and a decline in insulin production. Type 1 diabetes causes the body to stop producing insulin. While you cannot prevent type 1 diabetes, you can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Get Diabetes Care from a Licensed Dietitian

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the islet cells in the pancreas. This stops your body from being able to produce enough insulin, leading to a high blood sugar build up in the body. While there is no cure, type 1 diabetes can be managed through insulin intake, blood sugar monitoring, and a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Getting diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. A specialized diabetes dietitian can be a part of your diabetes care team. At Dietitian Live, our expert dietitians offer personalized nutrition advice that can help manage your condition. They can develop an eating plan tailored to your lifestyle that promotes stable blood sugar throughout the day. Book an appointment today, and we’ll work together to take control of your health and make empowered choices!