Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a result of a highly selective destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas.  Without beta cells, the body is unable to produce insulin, resulting in increased glucose levels in the blood.  Why beta cells are destroyed is unknown, but the causes may be hereditary, viral or related to a disorder of the immune system which causes your body to start attacking the cells that produce insulin.

Type 1 diabetes occurs usually in children and adults under age 40.