Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the insulin cells in the organ of the body called the pancreas, have been destroyed by the body’s immune system. This type of diabetes cannot be prevented with lifestyle changes.
Insulin is a hormone that controls the blood glucose levels in the body by transporting glucose from the blood into the cells of the body so that it can be used for energy or stored.
It is not fully known what triggers the immune system to attack these insulin cells.
This can cause you to feel unwell very quickly with symptoms such as:
- Thirst
- Passing urine more often (especially overnight)
- Tiredness or lethargy
- Losing weight without trying
- Infections and poorly healing wounds
- Blurred vision
The only treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin, for survival.
Where is care provided?
Your diabetes care will be with a specialist diabetes team at your local hospital and in the Leeds area, this would be St James’s University Hospital. The hospital also provides services for preconception care, pregnancy, foot care, young adult services, renal diabetes care, insulin pump therapy and continuous blood glucose monitoring systems.
In Leeds, we know that around 1,000 people are not currently in contact with the hospital diabetes team. There are many reasons why this might happen, and these can be personal. What matters most is that you are linked in with the right team so you can get the care that best supports your health. If there is anything that makes it difficult for you to access specialist care, practical, personal, or otherwise, please speak with someone in your healthcare team. They are there to help you find a way that works for you.
Further support with type 1 diabetes:
