What is type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood.

In type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose out of your blood and into your cells, to be used for energy. Without insulin, glucose stays in your blood. This causes hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar).

Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age but is more commonly diagnosed in young people. The most common age for diagnosis is 10 to 14 years.

While there is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, treatments are available.

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

You may have the following symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which are known as the four 'Ts':

• Thirst — being very thirsty (and possibly hungry)
• Toilet — urinating (doing a wee) more often
• Thinner — weight loss when you haven’t been trying to lose weight
• Tired — feeling unusually tired or weak

Some people also have blurred vision.

You may have these symptoms due to high blood glucose for a few days or a few weeks.

What are the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may be the first sign of type 1 diabetes for some people.

Symptoms and signs include:

• fast breathing and heart rate
• breath that smells like acetone (like paint thinner or nail polish remover)
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• flushed cheeks
• nausea and vomiting
• dehydration

What causes type 1 diabetes?

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known.

Type 1 diabetes is usually an autoimmune condition. Your body’s immune system attacks your pancreas and destroys the cells that make insulin.

There is a genetic component to type 1 diabetes. That means you have a higher chance of having type 1 diabetes if a close family member has the condition.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

How is type 1 diabetes diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. If they think you may have type 1 diabetes, they will:

• do a finger-prick blood test to quickly check your blood glucose level
• test your urine for glucose and ketones

If these tests show high levels of glucose, your doctor will recommend you go to the nearest hospital emergency department for more tests and treatment.

Emergency treatment in hospital is needed for children, teenagers and adults with type 1 diabetes.

If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you will be referred to a specialist diabetes team for ongoing care.

How is type 1 diabetes treated?

Although there is currently no cure, type 1 diabetes can be managed.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need insulin replacement to manage your blood glucose levels. You can use an insulin delivery device such as an insulin pump or pen.

Having a healthy diet and being physically active can also help control your blood glucose levels and improve your health.

Good control of your blood glucose levels reduces your risk of diabetes complications. You’ll need regular blood tests and health checks.

It’s also important to have a plan for managing your diabetes when you are unwell with another illness.

Living with type 1 diabetes

Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming. But you will have a team of healthcare professionals to help you manage your condition.

Type 1 diabetes management includes:

• learning to manage and monitor your blood glucose levels — a diabetes educator will help with this
• maintaining a healthy diet — you should see a dietitian for advice
• being physically active — an exercise physiologist can help choose the right exercise for you
• seeing your doctor for regular health checks, including monitoring your blood pressure and kidney function
• having a podiatrist monitor your feet for ulcers and other problems
• having regular eye health checks with an optometrist or ophthalmologist
• psychological support

What are the complications of type 1 diabetes?

There are short-term and long-term complications of type 1 diabetes.

Managing type 1 diabetes is important to prevent long-term complications, such as:

• heart disease
• stroke
• peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the arteries in your legs and feet)
• eye complications
• kidney disease
• foot problems
• nerve problems

People with type 1 diabetes also have a higher risk of depression.

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is a common and sometimes serious complication of insulin therapy.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you can develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) if you:

• miss insulin injections
• develop other health problems, such as an infection

What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

If your blood glucose is very high, you may experience a serious emergency condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

This is when your body burns fat instead of glucose for energy, producing by-products called ketones.

Can type 1 diabetes be prevented?

Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, even by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

• Resources and support

Visit Diabetes Australia for information and resources. You can also:

• call Diabetes Australia on 1800 177 055
• find resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• get multicultural resources

The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) has a range of resources, support services and subsidised diabetes products. The NDSS website also has diabetes information in languages other than English.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.