Type 1, Type 2 and Other Types

Insulin moves sugar from your blood into your cells. Both main types involve insulin. The problem is different in each.

With type 1, the body makes little or no insulin. With type 2, the body does not use insulin well. Either way, blood sugar can climb too high.

A blood vessel holds sugar cubes of glucose beside a big cell with a nucleus and one arched door. In type 1, the body makes little or no insulin, so there is no key, the door stays shut and glucose piles up in the blood. In type 2, the golden insulin key goes only part way into the lock and sticks at a tilt, the door opens only a little, and only two sugar cubes get into the cell.

Gestational diabetes starts in pregnancy. It is its own type.

A few rarer types exist too. You may hear other names for them. Your doctor can explain any name that looks new.

Your doctor decides your type using your test results and your health history.

Short description cards sort into type 1 and gestational diabetes, and questions about your own type go to your doctor.

Key takeaways

• Type 1: the body makes little or no insulin.
• Type 2: the body does not use insulin well.
• Your test results and history help your doctor name your type.

Try it

If your paperwork names a type, circle it. If not, add "Which type do I have?" to your question list.