OK, OK… But What Is T1D?

In my previous blog, “Our Story,” I shared how my son’s diagnosis changed our lives forever. I talked about fear, confusion, and the strength we didn’t know we had. But there is one very important piece I didn’t explain — what Type 1 Diabetes actually is.

So today, let’s pause for a moment and answer that question, because understanding the “what” can help us feel more prepared, more empowered, and less alone.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition. This means the body’s immune system, by mistake, attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

Insulin is a hormone the body needs to allow glucose (sugar) from food to enter our cells and give us energy. Without insulin, sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of fueling the body. Over time, this becomes dangerous and requires lifelong insulin treatment to survive.

Type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle, sugar intake, or parenting choices. There is currently no cure, and once diagnosed, insulin is required every day for life.

Common Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

Many of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes appear suddenly and progress quickly. The most common ones include:

• Excessive thirst

• Frequent urination (including bedwetting in children)

• Extreme fatigue

• Increased hunger

• Unexplained weight loss

• Blurred vision

• Mood changes or irritability

These were exactly the symptoms my son had, even though at the time, we didn’t recognize them as diabetes. Looking back, the signs were there — we just didn’t know what they meant yet.

Is Type 1 Diabetes Only a Childhood Disease?

Type 1 diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes because it was most commonly diagnosed in children. Today, we know that Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, including adulthood.

Unfortunately, when adults are diagnosed, Type 1 diabetes is sometimes mistaken for Type 2 diabetes, especially in the early stages. This can delay proper treatment and cause serious health risks.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes and How Is It Different?

While both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes affect blood sugar, they are very different conditions.

Type 1 Diabetes:

• Autoimmune condition

• The body makes little or no insulin

• Requires insulin for life

• Not preventable

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Related to insulin resistance

• The body still makes insulin but doesn’t use it well

• Often managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin

• Can be influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and other health factors

Understanding this difference matters — not just medically, but emotionally — because the day‑to‑day reality and treatment needs are not the same.

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Child Has Type 1 Diabetes?

Trust your instincts.

If your child is showing symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, or sudden weight loss, do not wait. Ask for a blood sugar test immediately or go to urgent care or the emergency room.

Early diagnosis can prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life‑threatening complication that often occurs when Type 1 diabetes goes undiagnosed.

You are not overreacting. You are protecting your child.

Are There Other Types of Diabetes?

Yes, there are several other types of diabetes, including:

• Gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy

• LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), a slower‑progressing form of Type 1 diabetes

• MODY (Monogenic Diabetes), a rare genetic form

Every diagnosis is different, and every family’s journey is unique.

A Message to Families Walking This Path

Whether your family is facing Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or another form of this disease — you are not alone.

Diabetes is hard. It is messy, emotional, and exhausting. But it is also a journey filled with courage, learning, and resilience. There is life beyond diagnosis. There is joy, strength, community, and hope.

We may not have chosen this path, but together, we can walk it — one day, one check, one breath at a time

Pablo in range