Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes 

Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition where blood glucose (sugar) level is too high because the body can’t make a hormone called insulin. 

This happens because the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that make the insulin, meaning the body can’t produce insulin at all. 

When you have type 1 diabetes, the body still breaks down the carbohydrate from food and drink and turns it into glucose. But when the glucose enters the bloodstream, there’s no insulin to allow it into the body’s cells. More and more glucose then builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Everyone with type 1 diabetes needs to take insulin. Some people will inject it and others may use a pump.

The 4T's pre-type1 diagnosis:

Toilet - Going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies.

Thirsty - Being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst.

Tired - Feeling more tired than usual.

Thinner - Losing weight or looking thinner than usual.

These symptoms indicate type1 diabetes go to the GP.

HYPO

Hypoglycemia is when the blood lucose level is too low - below 4.0mmol/l

Symptoms of a Hypo are...

feeling shaky, feeling disorientated, sweating, being anxious or irritable, going pale, palpitations and a fast pulse, lips feeling tingly, blurred vision, being hungry, feeling tearful, tiredness, having a headache, lack of concentration, night sweats.

Can be due to...

missing or delaying a meal or snack, not having enough carbohydrate at their last meal, doing a lot of exercise without having extra carbohydrate or without reducing insulin dose…