Type I Diabetes – A New Lifestyle

Type I diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, has no cure and you will have to learn to live with it for the span of your life. The most basic definition of Type I diabetes is that your body does not produce enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. Type I diabetes is caused by your immune system attacking the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transfer glucose into your cells where it can be metabolized and used in many different pathways.

High glucose levels in the blood will lead to an increases in appetite as your cells are not getting enough food so they tell your brain to eat more. High blood glucose levels in Type I diabetes also lad to frequent urination, which in turn makes you very thirsty. These are some of the most common symptoms associated with Type I diabetes. Some additional symptoms of Type I diabetes include weight loss even though you are eating more, vomiting, nausea, increased urination, increased thirst, fatigue, no menstration and abdominal pain.

It is possible to diagnose Type I diabetes by determining the fasting blood glucose level and if the level is above 126 mg/dL more then twice you it s considered positive. If a random, nonfasting blood glucose level is above 200mg/dL with symptoms associated with Type I diabetes then this can be considered a confirmation. Additionally an oral glucose tolerance test in which the level is 200mg/dL after 2 hours is confirmation of type I diabetes. It is also possible to use ketone testing for type I diabetes. If you do have type I diabetes then you need to have your A1c and HvA1c levels checked every 3 to 6 months. This test is needed to determine how effective your treatment is and if it needs to be modified.