Type 1 Diabetes FAQs

If you’ve received a diagnosis that you have type 1 diabetes, your initial shock will be followed by lots of questions. What does it mean? Why did this happen? What will my life be like now? Am I going to be okay?

Even if you have yet to receive a diagnosis, you may be experiencing symptoms that should cause you to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You should feel comfortable asking your doctor any and all questions you have about your condition. Your physician will provide you with answers, directions, and recommendations for how to manage your specific condition so you can continue living the same full, vibrant, active life that you did before.  But here are some basic and common questions and answers for those just finding out that they or a loved one has type 1 diabetes.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Previously called juvenile diabetes, an inaccurate moniker because it can develop in people of all ages, type 1 diabetes afflicts about five percent of the estimated 422 million people around the world who have diabetes.

When functioning properly, the body makes insulin-producing cells in the pancreas called islets which detect the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Islets then release the right amount of insulin to normalize blood sugar levels and facilitate the release of glucose that will be used as energy. In type 1 diabetes, however, the body’s immune system attacks the islet cells in the pancreas.

Without islet cells, the body cannot produce its own insulin. As a result, the sugars stay in the bloodstream, essentially starving the cells of the energy they need to maintain the body’s essential functions. High blood glucose levels can cause severe short-term and long-term problems, including the risk of coma or death.

What Is The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

As opposed to those with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes can produce some of their own insulin, but it is often in insufficient amounts to do the job.  That is because the cells that need glucose put up resistance to the insulin trying to deliver it, leaving the sugars to build-up in the bloodstream.

Type 2 diabetes typically develops after the age of 35, but in recent years, an increasing number of younger adults are being diagnosed with the condition. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, along with genetics and age, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What Are The Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes?

If you experience any of the following common symptoms of type 1 diabetes, you should arrange an appointment with your physician:

  • Constant thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Blurry vision
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
  • More infections than usual

Is There A Treatment of Cure For Type 1 Diabetes?

Currently, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. There are, however, ways to manage the condition and keep its worst complications at bay.

Since people with type 1 diabetes cannot produce their own insulin, they typically need to take insulin to keep their blood glucose levels in check. Insulin can be injected, inhaled, or delivered through an insulin pump. In addition to insulin, a healthy diet and activity plan, developed in consultation with a physician, can play a significant role in maintaining proper blood glucose levels.

What Is The Best Way To Monitor and Control Glucose and Insulin Levels?

The imbalances in blood glucose and insulin levels caused by type 1 diabetes makes monitoring and maintaining the right levels of both a critical part of living with the condition.

Traditional glucose monitoring involved pricking a finger multiple times a day to get and test blood samples, an inconvenient and uncomfortable process. Now, due to advancements in technology, finger-prick glucose monitoring can be a thing of the past. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a tested, safe, reliable, and accurate, transceiver device that helps those with type 1 diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels 24 hours a day without any need to interrupt their day to obtain a sample.

CGM has easy-to-use features that can help each person proactively record and track glucose levels—as well as provide valuable insights on data that helps manage exercise, meals, and daily health status. It is, quite simply, a game-changer for individuals living with type 1 diabetes.

Contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading