Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

This is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the insulin producing cells called beta cells of the pancreas and destroys them.

Diagnosis

A blood check is performed in search for autoantibodies (AA). These are proteins in the blood showing that a person’s own immune system is attacking the beta cells of the pancreas. This is not usually the case with Type 2 Diabetes. In general antibodies are proteins produced by the body’s immune system to fight illness and infection. There are some antibodies that mistakenly fight organs, tissues or cells of the body. Presence of auto antibodies are a sign that damage is happening.

A C-peptide blood test may also be done prior to diagnosis. This test shows how much insulin the body is making. 

Treatment

Monitoring of blood glucose levels help provide informed data that can be used for making appropriate changes.

Having a healthy eating pattern in reference to the Australian guide to healthy eating being mindful of appropriate portion sizes of the carbohydrates.

Insulin injections are needed to support blood glucose control for people living with Type 1 Diabete