Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune condition that affects how your body controls blood sugar levels. It develops when your immune system attacks the beta cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Without insulin, glucose stays in the blood and can’t get into your cells for energy.
While many people first learn they have type 1 diabetes in childhood, adults are also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Both types affect glucose levels, but they have different causes and care paths:
Understanding which type you have helps guide the right treatment plan.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes early can help you get care sooner. These often develop over a short time.
Common symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, hunger and blurred vision. Untreated type 1 diabetes can lead to serious conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Learn more about signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. The exact cause isn’t fully known, but genetic factors and other triggers may play a role.
Learn more about causes and risk factors for type 1 diabetes.
Getting the right diagnosis early is important. Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed using symptom review, medical history and blood tests that check your blood sugar and antibody levels. Treatment involves daily insulin, monitoring and guidance from your care team.
Learn how type 1 diabetes is diagnosed and treated.
Managing type 1 diabetes means ongoing diabetes care, including:
Your care team helps tailor a plan that fits your needs and supports long-term health.
Talk to a health care provider if you:
Early care helps improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or managing type 1 diabetes long term, Banner Health can help.
Find a provider or schedule an appointment:
Call or visit Banner Health to get connected with diabetes care specialists and ongoing support.
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