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Conditions

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the insulin-making cells of the pancreas, so the body makes little or no insulin.

Clinician review pending Updated Conditions
DefinitionType 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the insulin-making cells of the pancreas, so the body makes little or no insulin.

What it means

The NIDDK explains that most people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to manage blood sugar and stay alive. It is more common in children and young adults but can start at any age. Having a parent or sibling with it raises the risk.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 is not caused by excess weight. However, many adults with type 1 diabetes also live with overweight or obesity, and some develop insulin resistance as well.

GLP-1 medicines are not approved to treat type 1 diabetes. Some clinicians prescribe them off-label for weight in people with type 1, and research is ongoing. Because the risks of low blood sugar and DKA are higher, this calls for close supervision by a diabetes team.

Never reduce insulin on your own because appetite drops; talk with your care team about adjusting doses safely.

Why it matters

Type 1 diabetes changes the safety picture for GLP-1 medicines and requires specialist oversight.

Related terms

InsulinDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)HypoglycemiaOff-label useLow blood sugar on GLP-1 medicines

Sources

  1. NIDDK: Type 1 diabetes

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error