Diabetes mellitus type 1, also known as type 1 diabetes, is a form of diabetes mellitus in which very little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. Before treatment this results in high blood sugar levels in the body. The classic symptoms are frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, and weight loss.
Additional symptoms may include blurry vision, feeling tired, and poor wound healing. Symptoms typically develop over a short period of time The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. However, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Risk factors include having a family member with the condition. The underlying mechanism involves an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetes is diagnosed by testing the level of sugar or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) in the blood. Type 1 diabetes can be distinguished from type 2 by testing for the presence of autoantibodies.