The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
The main difference between Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) lies in the way the body produces and absorbs insulin. In type 1, the immune system spontaneously attacks insulin-producing cells until the body can no longer produce insulin at all. In type 2, the body is still able to produce insulin however, it is not being properly absorbed, which is known as insulin resistance.
There are many misconceptions when it comes to diabetes and much of it comes from the wide misunderstanding of the different types and how they develop. Even beyond type 1 and type 2, there are lesser-known diabetes disorders such as Gestational, MODY, LADA, 3c, Neonatal, and more. But for now, we’ll just stick to type 1 and type 2.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a vital hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin which is then released into the bloodstream to metabolize glucose by storing it or using it for energy.
Without any insulin production, the body is unable to store glucose in your muscles and liver and also cannot convert it into energy. The body then becomes reliant on fat for energy and releases keto acids into the bloodstream which causes ketoacidosis.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that affects the pancreas and causes insulin production to stop. Around 1.6 million people live with type 1 diabetes in the United States and an estimated 64,000 people are diagnosed each year.
The Cause
It is unclear what exactly triggers the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells but scientists suspect that genes and environmental factors are the cause. There are no known ways to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes are unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, extreme thirst, blurry vision, headache, fatigue, and yeast infections. If a person goes undiagnosed for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to organ failure, coma, or death.
If a doctor suspects that their patient has type 1 diabetes they will usually conduct a urine and blood glucose test. If there are ketones present in the urine and the blood glucose level is above 200 mg/dL, they can be pretty certain it is type 1 diabetes.
The most common ages to be diagnosed with T1D is 13 and 14 years old; however, it can occur at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is a disorder where the body can no longer properly absorb insulin, known as insulin resistance. In America, 37 million people live with diabetes and 90-95% of them have type 2. In addition, 96 million Americans have prediabetes.
The Cause
There are many misconceptions about diabetes and most of them come from the stigma around type 2. The result of this disease comes from a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle choices.
While many people believe that an unhealthy diet and lifestyle is the sole cause of developing type 2 diabetes, that is not entirely true. A healthy lifestyle can help in preventing T2D, but it is not guaranteed to prevent it altogether. Factors such as a genetic predisposition, older age, or issues with glucose metabolism can cause a person to develop type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms for type 2 diabetes usually occur more slowly. Since the blood sugar is elevated but not at an extremely high level (the way it is with type 1), sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms present.
When symptoms are present a person might feel fatigued, have increased thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, or areas of darkened skin.
Type 2 diabetes is commonly diagnosed when a person has routine bloodwork done that tests A1C. An A1C level below 5.7% is considered normal, 5.7% to 6.4% is prediabetic, and above 6.5% indicates diabetes.
