What it means
An autoimmune disease: the body's own immune system attacks the beta cells of the pancreasPAN-kree-usA long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.pan- allcreas fleshFull entry , so the body cannot make insulinIN-suh-linA hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.Full entry and blood sugar rises. It often begins in childhood or young adulthood but can start at any age, sometimes suddenly, with thirst, passing a lot of urine, hunger, weight loss and tiredness. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day for life, and without it they can develop diabetic ketoacidosisdy-uh-BET-ik kee-toh-as-ih-DOH-sisA state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.ket/o ketonesacid/o acid-osis abnormal conditionFull entry .
For the nurse
Teach blood glucose checks, insulin injection or pump use, how to treat low blood sugar, and sick-day rules: keep taking insulin when ill, check blood glucose more often and check urine or blood ketones.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | T1DM |
|---|---|
| Spanish | diabetes tipo 1 |
| Also written | type 1 diabetes mellitus, type I diabetes, T1DM |
Easy to confuse with
type 2 diabetes
A form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
diabetic ketoacidosis
A state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.
pancreas
A long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.