Myths About Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 is autoimmune. The immune system, a guard against germs, attacks the beta cells that make insulin.

Diet and lifestyle do not cause type 1.

Type 2 has several causes, like genes, body weight, activity and sleep.

A doctor stands beside a big card. For the myth the card has a yellow border, a big question mark and a Myth tag. Then the card flips and the question mark turns into a tick. For the fact the card has a green border, a big green tick and a Fact tag.

Each type needs its own care plan. Type 2 needs one too.

In type 2, beta cells often work less well over time. Medicines taken by mouth may no longer keep blood sugar in range. Then insulin may be added to the plan.

Insulin reflects changing needs. It is not a grade on your effort. Whether to add it is a choice you make with your doctor.

A pancreas sits above an Insulin made bar, beside a chart of blood sugar over the years shown as stacks of sugar cubes. Early on there is one cube and no symptoms. The pancreas sweats to make more insulin, then tires and greys as the bar drops, while the stacks grow taller. Last, the tallest stack is circled and a blood test vial shows it is found.

Blood tests confirm diabetes but not its type.

Two more tests help sort the types. Autoantibody tests look for immune signals aimed at your own cells. The C-peptide test measures a substance your body makes when it produces insulin.

A positive result is usually checked with a repeat test on another day. Your doctor names the type from the results. Ask your care team which tests apply to you.

Key takeaways

• Type 1 is autoimmune, so diet and lifestyle do not cause it.
• Each type needs its own care plan, and type 2 may need insulin over time.
• A doctor names the type from several tests, often with a repeat test.

Try it

Write down which type of diabetes you or someone you know has, and who confirmed it. If you are not sure, ask at the next visit.