Understanding Different Types of Diabetes: Taking Control of Your Diabetes Awareness and Knowledge Starts Here
Understanding Different Types of Diabetes: Your Complete Guide
Diabetes is a complex condition with different types that affect millions worldwide. Knowing the differences between Type 1, Type 2, and other forms of diabetes is crucial for effective management and prevention.
TYPE 1 DIABETES:
Essential Facts You Need to Know
- Your body stops making insulin, a hormone you need to use sugar for energy.
- It’s not caused by diet or lifestyle – it’s an immune system mix-up.
- Usually starts in childhood or young adulthood, but can happen at any age.
- Managed with insulin injections or an insulin pump, plus monitoring blood sugar.
PRE-TYPE 1 DIABETES:
Early Detection and What It Means
- This is the early stage before full-blown Type 1 diabetes.
- You might not have symptoms yet, but your body is starting to attack insulin-producing cells.
- Early detection through screening can help you prepare and possibly delay Type 1 diabetes.
LADA:
The Slow-Motion Type 1 Diabetes You Might Not Know About
- Think of this as a slow-motion version of Type 1 diabetes that starts in adulthood.
- Often mistaken for Type 2 at first because it develops more slowly.
- Over time, you’ll likely need insulin, just like with Type 1.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
The Most Common Form Explained
- The most common type of diabetes.
- Your body doesn’t use insulin well, or doesn’t make enough.
- Often related to lifestyle factors, but genes play a role too.
- Can often be managed with healthy eating, exercise, and sometimes medication.
UPCOMING LIVE BROADCAST: Deepen Your Diabetes Knowledge with Endocrinologists
We are hosting a live broadcast with Dr. Edelman and Dr. Pettus, where we will explore these topics in depth to increase your awareness!
Why Understanding Your Diabetes Type Matters: 7 Key Reasons
Understanding the different types of diabetes isn’t just about accumulating knowledge—it’s about empowerment and taking control of your health journey.
Here’s why it matters:
✅ Personalized Care: Knowing your specific type of diabetes allows for tailored treatment plans, leading to better management and improved quality of life.
✅ Early Intervention: Recognizing the signs and risk factors for different types can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, potentially preventing or delaying complications.
✅ Informed Decision-Making: With a clear understanding of your condition, you can make better choices about diet, exercise, and medication in partnership with your healthcare team.
✅ Emotional Well-being: Knowledge dispels fear and uncertainty. Understanding your diabetes type can reduce anxiety and boost confidence in managing your condition.
✅ Support for Loved Ones: If someone you care about has diabetes, understanding their specific type allows you to provide more effective support and encouragement.
✅ Community Connection: Knowing your diabetes type can help you connect with others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
✅ Advocacy: With a deeper understanding, you can become an advocate for yourself and others, pushing for better care, research, and policies that benefit the diabetes community.
Don’t let misconceptions hold you back, learn what they are below! ⤵️
Debunking Diabetes Myths: Clearing Up Common Misconceptions
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about diabetes. You might think that all types are the same or that certain myths hold true. Let’s clear up the confusion and build a better understanding together.
Type 1 Diabetes Myths Busted: What You Need to Know 👉
❌ WRONG: Pre-Type 1 diabetes can be reversed through lifestyle changes.
CORRECT: Unlike prediabetes in Type 2 diabetes, Pre-Type 1 diabetes (Stages 1 and 2) cannot be reversed through lifestyle changes. These stages represent the early autoimmune process that leads to Type 1 diabetes. While research is ongoing into potential interventions to delay or prevent the progression to clinical Type 1 diabetes, currently there are no proven methods to reverse the autoimmune attack on beta cells.
❌ WRONG: There are always noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
CORRECT: In the early stages of Pre-Type 1 diabetes (Stages 1 and 2), there are typically no noticeable symptoms. These stages are characterized by the presence of diabetes-related autoantibodies and, in Stage 2, abnormal blood sugar levels. However, classic diabetes symptoms like excessive thirst or frequent urination usually don’t appear until Stage 3, when clinical Type 1 diabetes develops.
❌ WRONG: Pre-Type 1 diabetes only occurs in children.
CORRECT: Pre-Type 1 diabetes can occur in individuals of any age, not just children. While it’s true that Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in younger individuals, the autoimmune process that leads to Type 1 diabetes can begin at any age. Screening studies have identified adults with Pre-Type 1 diabetes as well.
LADA Misconceptions: Separating Fact from Fiction 👉
❌ WRONG: LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults): a) LADA is the same as Type 2 diabetes.
CORRECT: LADA is distinct from Type 2 diabetes, despite sometimes being misdiagnosed as such. LADA is an autoimmune form of diabetes, like Type 1, where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes is primarily characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, without an autoimmune component.
❌ WRONG: LADA progresses as quickly as typical Type 1 diabetes.
CORRECT: LADA typically progresses more slowly than classic Type 1 diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes often develops rapidly, especially in younger individuals, LADA has a slower onset. People with LADA may maintain some insulin production for months or even years after diagnosis, leading to a more gradual progression of insulin dependence.
❌ WRONG: LADA can be managed with oral medications alone long-term.
CORRECT: While oral medications may be effective in the early stages of LADA, most individuals will eventually require insulin therapy. As LADA progresses and more insulin-producing cells are destroyed, oral medications become less effective. Long-term management typically involves insulin therapy, similar to Type 1 diabetes treatment.
Type 2 Diabetes: Challenging Common Beliefs and Stereotypes 👉
❌ WRONG: Only overweight or obese people get Type 2 diabetes.
CORRECT: While being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, people of normal weight can also develop the condition. Other risk factors include age, family history, ethnicity, and lifestyle factors. Additionally, some individuals may have a genetic predisposition that increases their risk regardless of weight.
❌ WRONG: Type 2 diabetes is not as serious as Type 1 diabetes.
CORRECT: Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious conditions that require proper management. If left untreated or poorly managed, Type 2 diabetes can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and neuropathy, just like Type 1 diabetes. The seriousness of either type depends on how well it’s managed, not on the type itself.
❌ WRONG: Once you start insulin, it means you’ve failed at managing your diabetes.
CORRECT: Starting insulin therapy is not a sign of failure in diabetes management. For many people with Type 2 diabetes, it’s a natural progression of the disease as the pancreas produces less insulin over time. Insulin is simply another tool in diabetes management, often allowing for better blood glucose control. Early insulin use can even help preserve remaining beta cell function in some cases.
EMPOWER YOURSELF! Join Our Live Session on Diabetes Education
Empower yourself with accurate information and take the first step towards better diabetes management today. Join our LIVE session with Dr. Edelman and Dr. Pettus to learn!
I am somewhat new to TCOYD. Have you discussed the different types of neuropathy? The main one now is Autonomic neuropathy.
Thanks for being part of the TCOYD community! I have spoken on this topic before. Check out the video we did on diabetes complications in our video vault. Look in the “complications” section here:
https://tcoyd.org/vv-t1d-related/
https://tcoyd.org/vv-t2d-related/
Or you can also watch this video from podiatrist Dr. Craig Wargon here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ-VXxHNIjg&t=5s
Thanks so much for your comment!
What about type 3C? Which I am. In the scheme of things,we are treated very much like type 1s.
You are right in that type 1 is a total lack of insulin due to autoantibody destruction, and type 3c is characterized by reduced insulin released by the pancreas due to other damaging causes.
I have type 2 Diabetes, well controlled. In the past, my ears would ring sporadically separately (not tinnitus). Lately, the ringing seems to be more frequent. Somewhere I thought I read that ear ringing is associated with Type 2; I can’t find the information again online. Could you give me your professional opinion I this? I’d greatly appreciate it.
Respectfully,
Dan
Hi Dan,
Ear ringing is not associated with type 2 diabetes. You’re falling into the trap that many people do sometimes when they can’t explain a medical illness, but it’s not caused by diabetes.
I have untreated neuropathy in both of my feet it’s getting very bad the numbness in the burning are almost unbearable I am also on a drug treatment program where I take drug screening sporadically when they’ve sent them to the lab I’ve came back with alcohol in my system and I don’t drink alcohol I haven’t for 15 years I’m facing some legal issues that I have to deal with and I need to find out if this is pre-diabetic neuropathy or what’s going on or what can I do to find out
Sorry for your problems. Hard to tell what is going on, but you should see a neurologist for sure. Even a good podiatrist who sees a lot of people with diabetes. Good luck.
I am a Type 1 diabetic. Developed this chronic disease when I turned 47 yrs. As a Type 1 with no friends or family diabetics I’ve learned a lot of how my body reacts to various foods and activity. I primarily adjust my insulin doses by myself. I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and High Cortisol Levels. I strongly feel the root problem to my erratic A1C and daily Blood Sugars that cannot be managed is due, to the root) OSA. I believe OSA is also the root to High Cortisol Levels. If I can lose 30 pounds of belly fat I will be able to physically move and exercise. Zepbound is FFDA approved for OSA, but my doctor REFUSES to prescribe it for me. She wants me to start her diet pills. I cannot tolerate the thought of losing more sleep and heart palpitations. Hoe do I get what I am positive will solve my health to at least a life worth living. I’m fat and depressed. I have no clothes that fit me, no energy to go places because I look horrible. I can’t even hardly walk due to carrying so much weight, I was so looking forward to attending the ONE Conference until I saw the prices to attend. I cant afford that so Im even more depressed and don’t want to do anything!
Thank you so much for your comment. You definitely need to lose weight, and Zepbound is perfect because it’s approved for obstructive sleep apnea. You can try asking one more time with your current doctor – be persistent. If that doesn’t work, I hate to say this, but you need to find another doctor.
I was tested and told I could have pre-diabetes. What does that mean? and how do I manage it if I do have it? I will be tested again when I see my doctor in October, to see the results and if I have it.
Hi Nora,
Dr. Edelman suggested you watch the following videos to have a better understanding of prediabetes, along with some steps you can take to manage it if you do have it. The first video is fairly short if you just want an overview, and it does have some really great info:
Prediabetes
https://tcoyd.org/2022/07/prediabetes-its-not-too-late-for-an-about-face/
Diabetes Prevention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NelZKdEvOMg
New to Type 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LdoV3u-Or4&t=1s
Let us know if you need help or other info though. 🙂
I was diagnosed with Cushing Syndrome and I was prescribed Korlym and it did not go well I started Hallucinating driving erratically yelling at my husband.Then they stopped it. Then gave me recorlev.I read all side effects like kidney transplant or death so they wanted me to sign a disclosure saying they would not be liable if something happened to me while taking this drug so I opted out I am not taking anything is there any other meds I can take? I have type 2 Diabetes all of my Family has type2 Diabetes.
Hi Lily,
One of our hypercortisolism experts said there are a number of potential drug-to-drug interactions to consider with Korlym, so hopefully your doctor did a thorough review of your other medications before starting treatment. Cushing Syndrome is a complex disease and treatment approaches are based on each person. In general, surgery is the first line of treatment if appropriate. There are other medical treatments that can be considered, but it’s best if you speak with your doctor about your symptoms and concerns and find a plan that can help you be well.