People who have type 1 diabetes must take insulin as part of their treatment. Because their bodies can't make insulin anymore, they need to get the right amount to keep their blood sugar levels in a healthy range. The only way to get insulin into the body is by injection with a needle or with an insulin pump.

T1D used to be known as juvenile diabetes, but it’s not anymore. Although it’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults, it can occur at any age.

There are several risk factors that make the development of T1D more likely:

• Family history: If you have a relative with T1D, your risk is 15 times greater than the general population.
• Genetics: If you have certain genes, you are at increased risk.
• Autoantibodies: Diabetes-related autoantibodies signal an increased risk of T1D. People with two or more autoantibodies have a lifetime risk approaching 100%. TrialNet screening can detect these autoantibodies years before symptoms appear.
• Race/Ethnicity: Caucasians (white/ or of European origin) are at higher risk than people from other ethnic groups.
• Age: Although type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in children.

T1D symptoms can include:

• Extreme weakness and/or tiredness
• Extreme thirst—dehydration
• Increased urination
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Irritability or quick mood changes

T1D symptoms are caused by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood and may be mistaken for severe flu or another illness. T1D develops over time. But once it reaches stage 3, symptoms may come on quickly and be life-threatening. If you or someone you know has symptoms of T1D, be sure to get medical attention right away.

The exact cause of T1D is unknown. The body's immune system— which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses— mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Genetics play a role in this process. Certain environmental factors may trigger the disease. Research is underway to find what causes T1D and how to stop it.

T1D autoantibodies are proteins that target insulin producing beta cells for destruction. They are a useful tool for identifying people at risk of developing T1D, as they are easily identified in the blood.  TrialNet can test for up to five T1D autoantibodies. 

An autoimmune disease is a disorder of the body's immune system. The immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys body tissue it believes is foreign. Other examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Identical twins share the same set of genes, making it much more likely that they will both develop T1D if one of them is diagnosed. Although genes are very important in determining risk, they aren’t the whole story. 

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease of the immune system, the body’s system for fighting infection. In people with T1D, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy insulin-producing cells, called beta cells, and destroys them. This results in the pancreas making little or no insulin, causing high blood sugar levels.

Exercise, in combination with healthy eating and insulin, contributes to successful T1D management. Check with your healthcare provider for exercise guidelines.