Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition where little or no insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar levels) is made. It can cause serious health complications and needs to be carefully managed.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar levels), so that very little or none at all is made. This lack of insulin causes rising sugar (glucose) levels in the bloodstream that can cause serious health complications.
Around 8% of people in the UK who have diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes most frequently presents in children, there's now increasing recognition that adults can present with type 1 diabetes too.
Our expert endocrinologists see patients with type 1 diabetes in our state-of-the-art Endocrinology centre, where they use the most advanced diagnostics and treatment options to ensure your diabetes is well managed.
More information
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can come on very quickly – over just a few days or weeks – but may also present more gradually, particularly in adults.
Common signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
excessive thirst
frequent urination, most noticeable at night
fatigue and weakness
unintentional weight loss
frequent infections such as thrush
blurred vision
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune reaction, but it’s not clear why this happens or what triggers it. Certain genetic changes can make some people more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, along with having other autoimmune conditions. While exposure to viruses and other environmental factors are thought to be potential triggers, diet and lifestyle habits are not a cause of type 1 diabetes.
At your initial consultation, your endocrinologist will talk to you about your specific symptoms and medical history. Usually, type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed by the presence of symptoms and a blood test to look at glucose levels over the last 2 to 3 months (a HbA1c test).
Additional tests may include:
blood tests to measure pancreatic auto-antibodies
a fasting blood sugar test
an oral glucose tolerance test
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, and there's currently no way to prevent it.
If your blood sugar gets too high or too low, this can cause life-threatening problems that get worse very quickly, and may lead to a seizure, fit, or becoming unconscious. It's important to manage your blood sugar levels and carry a medical ID with you explaining that you have type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes can also have more long-term effects on your health, including increased risk of:
heart disease and stroke
nerve damage
kidney problems
eye problems
foot problems, such as ulcers and infections due to nerve damage and reduced blood supply to the feet
gum disease
Type 1 diabetes treatment aims to control blood glucose (sugar) levels, keeping them within a safe range, without frequent low levels (hypoglycaemia) and high levels (hyperglycaemia), through self-managed insulin therapy.
Your consultant will carefully discuss the best approach to manage your condition with you, along with support from specialist diabetes nurses, dietitians and psychologists. At Welbeck, we take a holistic approach that focuses not just on glucose control but also on your overall cardiovascular health and wellbeing. We’ll empower you to self-manage your glucose levels safely and in a way that maintains your quality of life and gives freedom in dietary choices.
Management of your type 1 diabetes may involve:
regularly checking glucose levels using a finger-prick test or a continuous glucose sensor
insulin injections (both long and short action)
an insulin pump or pod
support with diet
regular blood test to check your HbA1c level, which is your average blood glucose level for the last 2 to 3 months
Our specialists can also advise you on the latest advances in diabetes management, for example, hybrid closed-loop systems that automate insulin delivery based on real-time glucose sensing.
At Welbeck, our endocrinologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
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Frequently asked questions
There’s currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, but with careful management, most people with type 1 diabetes can live full, healthy lives and reduce their risk of long-term complications.
Yes, you can have a healthy pregnancy with type 1 diabetes, but it may need more planning and careful blood sugar control. At Welbeck, we can work with you to reduce risks and ensure the best outcomes for both you and your baby.
Yes, although type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune condition, not by resistance to insulin like in type 2 diabetes, it’s still possible for insulin resistance to develop. If this happens, a higher dose of insulin may be needed to have the same effect. Changes in diet and lifestyle can often help to reduce insulin resistance.
Yes, aside from type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there are many other types of diabetes, including genetic forms of diabetes (MODY). There are also hybrid forms that don’t quite ‘fit’ with typical type 1 or type 2 diabetes, such as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), and ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes. Our endocrinologists are experts at diagnosing specific types of diabetes and recommending the most appropriate treatment plan, tailored to you.