3 min read
Type 1 Diabetes: Initial Signs, Complications, Management. Blood Sugar Levels
Tomasz Jankowski
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Diets Premium Expert • 24.09.2026
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Tomasz Jankowski | min read 3 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 24.09.2026 |
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Key Takeaways
Upon hearing "diabetes," the initial association is often an elderly individual with type 2 diabetes. However, type 1 diabetes is equally concerning, affecting around 10% of patients. What bodily indicators may suggest the progression of this condition, and what potential outcomes arise from untreated diabetes?
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Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes mellitus, also commonly called insulin-dependent, is a chronic autoimmune disease. In people with type 1 diabetes, the body produces antibodies that destroy beta (B) cells. These cells are located within the pancreas (Langerhans Islands) and their main function is the production of the hormone insulin. As the disease progresses, the amount of insulin produced decreases, which can lead to a complete lack of insulin in the blood.
Early signs and symptoms of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes primarily affects young people, and its symptoms can occur in childhood. Among the most characteristic symptoms of type 1 diabetes are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased appetite), weakness, drowsiness, weight loss, visual impairment, and nausea. In addition to the symptoms that we can directly observe, glucose (the appearance of glucose in the urine) and ketone bodies, which result from the breakdown of fats, are an alternative source of energy for cells.
Blood sugar levels
A practical way to diagnose diabetes is to check blood glucose levels. Disorders of the carbohydrate economy result in significant fluctuations in this sugar, especially after a meal. Diagnosis uses: adequate glucose to be measured in a blood sample taken from a patient at any time of the day, fast glucose per hour taken in blood samples taken between 8 and 14 hours after the last meal.
Is diabetes hereditary?
In type 1 diabetes, genetics is not the main factor that can cause the disease to develop. We can inherit a predisposition to diabetes, and the disease itself can be triggered by certain triggers, such as infections. Interestingly, the risk of developing the disease in children also depends on the presence of disease in parents. Children of a sick mother and a healthy father have a 2.5 percent risk of development of the disease, whereas in reverse cases, this risk is already 5 percent.
Effects of diabetes
In general, the group of complications is divided into: miroangiopathies (caused by damage to small blood vessels). As a result of elevated blood glucose levels, changes in protein glycation and changes in structural vessels occur. These changes can lead to damage to the light-sensing cells of the retina (retinopathy), the cells in the kidneys (nephropathy) and the peripheral nerves (neuropathy).
Treatment of type 1 diabetes
The basis of type 1 diabetes treatment is insulin therapy. A hormone that cannot be produced in our body is supplied from the outside and unfortunately has to be used by the patient for the rest of his life. Insulin is injected with syringes, pens or insulin pumps. In the case of a pump, short-acting insulin is used. In addition, there are analogues of long-term human insulin.
mgr Tomasz Jankowski
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