What is type 1 diabetes?
Diabetes timeline
Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in children and young adults. People who have type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose (a type of sugar) get into cells. For good health, the body needs a finely-tuned balance of insulin and glucose.
The immune system of people with type 1 diabetes slowly destroys the beta cells. When the immune system attacks its own cells, it's called an autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.
The destruction of beta cells doesn't happen overnight. It goes on for years. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes usually comes when about 90 percent of the beta cells have been destroyed.
At this point, the person needs injected insulin. But the few beta cells that are left continue to help the body control blood glucose levels. This is called the "honeymoon" period. In most people, the honeymoon lasts a few weeks to a few months. In a few people, it lasts longer.