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What is type 1 diabetes?

  • Type 1 diabetes is a condition where your body cannot make a hormone called insulin.
  • Insulin helps your body use glucose (sugar) for energy. Without insulin the level of glucose in your blood becomes too high.
  • If you have type 1 diabetes, you'll need to take insulin every day to manage your blood glucose levels.
  • Type 1 diabetes often starts in children and young adults, but it can happen at any age.
  • There's currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed by checking your blood glucose regularly, tracking what you eat and drink, and adjusting how much insulin you take.
  • It's not possible to prevent type 1 diabetes. It's caused by a problem with your immune system (autoimmune condition).
  • Type 1 diabetes is different from type 2 diabetes, which is more common in older people and people who are overweight.

Page last reviewed: 31 October 2024
Next review due: 31 October 2027