HbA1c is a form of haemoglobin – a protein found in red blood cells – that is chemically linked to a sugar, usually glucose. Measuring HbA1c gives an idea of average blood glucose levels over a period of three months – the life span of a red blood cell.
A period of time following T1D diagnosis when the pancreas is still able to produce some insulin. Some people find that they only need minimal amounts of insulin during this time to keep their blood sugar levels within the target range.
Also known as high blood sugar, hyperglycaemia means there is too much glucose circulating in the blood. People with T1D might experience hyperglycemia (or a “hyper” for short) if they haven’t taken enough insulin to match the carbohydrates they have eaten, or they are unwell.
Low blood sugar, usually below 4mmol/L. Also known as a hypo, it can be caused by taking too much insulin, not eating enough carbohydrates, or strenuous exercise. It’s important to treat a hypo quickly to stop blood sugar levels from falling even lower.
Sometimes, people cannot tell when their blood sugar is too low because the early warning signs aren’t triggered. This is called hypoglycemia unawareness.
Immunosuppressive drugs stop or restrict the body’s immune system. In type 1 diabetes, immunosuppressants are used following an islet transplantation, to stop the body rejecting the new beta cells. See our Research for more information.
A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin is the only current therapy for treating T1D, and can be basal (slow-acting) or bolus (fast-acting).
A small electronic device that administers insulin via a tiny tube under the skin. Users can set the device to give a steady input of insulin throughout the day and extra (bolus) doses of insulin at meals, or other times when blood sugar is too high. See Insulin Pump Program for more details on available subsidies.
Islets are clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce hormones, including insulin. Beta cells are one of the types of cell that make up an islet.
Ketones are acids that build up in the blood and urine. When the body doesn’t have enough insulin to convert sugar into energy, it starts burning fat and body tissue instead – producing ketones. When the level of ketones in the body gets too high, this can cause diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
MODY – Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young – is a rare form of diabetes that runs in families and is different from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There are several different types of MODY, each caused by changes in a different gene. MODY is typically diagnosed before the age of 30, but can occur at any age.
A rare form of diabetes that develops in babies under 6 months old. Neonatal diabetes is caused by a change in a gene, and is not an autoimmune condition like type 1 diabetes. Neonatal diabetes can be either transient (disappearing within the first 12 weeks of life) or lifelong.
Excessive thirst. Polydipsia is often one of the first signs of type 1 diabetes, as high blood sugar levels can make people feel extremely thirsty.
Excessive hunger or appetite. This can sometimes be a symptom of type 1 diabetes, along with polydipsia and polyuria.
Polyuria occurs when your body urinates more frequently—and often in larger amounts—than usual. It can be a symptom of type 1 diabetes. Normally, when your kidneys create urine, they reabsorb all of the sugar and direct it back to the bloodstream. In T1D, excess sugar ends up in the urine, where it pulls more water and results in more urine.
Rapid-acting insulin (also known as fast-acting, or mealtime insulin) is a form of insulin that starts working quickly after it is injected. It is usually taken before a meal, snack or drink containing carbohydrates, as directed by a healthcare professional, to regulate the rise in blood sugar which follows eating.
See Glucose Responsive Insulin.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are mistakenly destroyed by the body’s immune system. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream as the body is unable to process it. People with T1D must replace the insulin their body doesn’t produce — either through injections or a pump.
Also known as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), this is a form of type 1 diabetes that also has things in common with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Type 1.5 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is not treatable with diet or lifestyle changes, but is diagnosed during adulthood and often has a slow onset. Many people with LADA are initially misdiagnosed as having T2D.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common type of diabetes, but is very different to T1D. It is often diagnosed later in life, and is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. In T2D, a person’s body still produces insulin, but is unable to use it effectively. T2D can often be managed with diet or exercise changes, but more serious cases may require insulin therapy.