Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is described as an ‘autoimmune’ condition. That’s because it develops when your immune system, which usually protects you from viruses and bacteria – mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells that produce insulin in your pancreas.²

Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose out of your blood and into the cells of your body, where it’s converted to energy. In Type 1 diabetes, because your body is unable to produce insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream but your body’s supply of energy from glucose falls. To make up the shortfall, your body breaks down fat and muscle, a process called ketosis.³ If not treated, this can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition in which glucose levels are dangerously high and excessive levels of toxic compounds called ketones are produced.³

Who gets Type 1 diabetes?

About 8% of people who have diabetes have Type 1.⁴ Currently, about 400,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed, of whom more than 29,000 are children.² It’s more often diagnosed in children, but adults can also be affected.²

What causes Type 1 diabetes?

We don’t know the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes. Family history can increase your risk, as there are a number of genes linked to Type 1 diabetes. But we know genes on their own don't cause diabetes, because most people with Type 1 don't have a family history of it at all. Scientists think some things in the environment, like viruses, play a role in triggering Type 1 diabetes and are doing research all the time to find out more.⁵

What’s the treatment for Type 1 diabetes?

When you're first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes you'll be treated in hospital by a specialist diabetes team. They'll show you how to treat your condition once you leave hospital. The main treatment for Type 1 diabetes is taking a medicine called insulin to manage your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

To stay well, you'll need to try to keep your blood glucose levels within a target range. You'll be taught how to do this by checking your blood glucose regularly and adjusting your insulin doses. Your diabetes care team will work with you to develop a care plan.⁸

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second or third trimester. It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.¹⁷

Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed.¹⁷

What’s the treatment for gestational diabetes?

If you develop gestational diabetes your pregnancy will be carefully monitored and you’ll be advised to eat healthily, take regular exercise and test your glucose before and after meals. You may need medication or insulin injections to manage your glucose levels, and you’ll have extra scans and tests to check your pregnancy is progressing well.¹⁷

Gestational diabetes normally goes away after your baby’s born, but you’re at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life if you’ve had gestational diabetes.¹⁷

Rarer types of diabetes

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY)

MODY is a rare, inherited form of diabetes affecting approximately 20,000–40,000 people in the UK.¹⁹ It’s caused by a genetic modification and is typically diagnosed in people aged 25 or under. There are several forms of MODY, not all of which have typical diabetes symptoms or need treatment with insulin.¹⁹ But having MODY increases the risk of long-term diabetes complications so people who’re affected should have regular monitoring and treatment as required.¹⁹

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adulthood (LADA)

Also known as type 1.5 diabetes, is an irreversible autoimmune condition that impacts insulin production. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which typically appears in childhood, LADA develops in adults, usually after age 30, and is often misdiagnosed as type 2 due to similar symptoms.²⁰ It may account for up to 10% of all diabetes cases.²⁰ The treatment for LADA can initially be managed with lifestyle changes and oral medications, but typically requires insulin treatment within five years of diagnosis.²⁰