Type 1 Diabetes: Symptoms and Treatments

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Type 1 diabetes often isn’t thought of as an autoimmune disease but it is caused by the immune system mistakenly destroying the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. This means that the pancreas can’t produce the insulin that the body needs or control blood glucose levels.

What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?

Experts aren’t sure exactly why the body starts to attack healthy cells in the pancreas but there are a few theories.

Researchers have found at least 18 “genetic regions” that could make autoimmune conditions more likely. For type 1 diabetes, there seems to be a connection between Human Leukocyte Antigens complexes, which are strongly linked to immune response. 

Not everyone with these genes will go on to develop type 1 diabetes though. Even with identical twins, it’s not always the case that both twins will develop type 1 diabetes.

While genetic predisposition may be a factor in why some people develop type 1 diabetes, it’s not the only reason involved. Something usually has to act as a trigger.

These can include:

Viral infection: Researchers have found links between type 1 diabetes and several viruses, which may increase potential for developing type 1 diabetes. When you get sick with a virus, your body’s T cells produce antibodies to fight back against it. If there is any crossover between the antigens in the virus and the ones in the beta cells that produce insulin, the T cells can start to destroy the beta cells. This can mean that the body can’t produce insulin and sets the scene for type 1 diabetes. This won’t happen with every virus so you don’t need to worry every time you get sick! Some of the ones that are thought to have this potential include German measles, mumps and rotavirus.

Vaccinations: Childhood vaccinations have also been linked to type 1 diabetes, particularly ones for tuberculosis and smallpox. This research is still in the very early days and it’s not considered conclusive enough for children to avoid having vaccinations.

Low levels of vitamin D: Researchers have found that rates of type 1 diabetes are often higher in countries that aren’t located near to the equator. Studies have also shown a link between having low levels of vitamin D and being more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. Other studies have also suggested that supplementing with vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. If you’re not getting out in natural sunlight very often and don’t supplement (especially in winter), you’re more likely to be vitamin D deficient.

Increased demand for insulin: Certain situations may increase the body’s demand for insulin, including eating a lot of high GI foods, particularly in children who are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.

Health factors: Some health conditions can make it difficult for the pancreas to produce insulin or encourage insulin resistance. This includes cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis (high stores of iron in the body), Cushing’s disease and hyperthyroidism. Some medications may also have potential to damage beta cells or affect insulin levels.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes are:

• A strong thirst
• Fatigue and general weakness
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• A tendency to get infections
• Wounds that don’t heal quickly

Alongside this, there may also be other symptoms. These can include blurred vision, dizziness, skin infections and itchiness around the genitals.

If you’ve been noticing these type of symptoms, talk to your doctor about being tested for type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms can come in a matter of weeks, whereas symptoms of type 2 diabetes tend to come on more slowly and can take years to fully develop.

Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes

If your doctor thinks you could have type 1 diabetes, they’ll order blood and urine tests to see what’s going on in your body. Urine tests can look for glucose and ketones. Blood tests can look for antibodies and see how much insulin is being produced by the body.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes

If you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you can expect to need insulin treatment to replace the insulin that isn’t being produced by your body. This is usually done through insulin injections that you’ll carry out yourself but there are also insulin pumps that deliver smaller amounts of insulin during the day and night. Either way, you’ll need to have insulin treatment for the rest of your life.

You’ll also need to monitor your blood glucose levels, often several times per day. It’s not uncommon to need to adjust your insulin dose in line with the carbs you eat to keep your blood glucose in an acceptable range.

Diet and lifestyle can also play an important role in helping to control blood glucose levels and reducing the potential for diabetes related complications. They won’t replace the need for insulin though. Controlling your intake of carbohydrates is one of the ways to manage the condition. Typically, you’ll match up your carb intake in line with your insulin doses so that you don’t necessarily need to do insulin injections at the same time every day.

Complications of diabetes can include hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels), hyperglycemia (very high blood sugar levels), heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, ketoacidosis (high levels of ketones, which can potentially damage organs), circulation problems, nerve damage and eye problems.