- For U.S. Residents Only
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Type 1 diabetes happens in stages
Type 1 diabetes is an
AUTOIMMUNE CONDITION
You can think of an autoimmune disease like a programming error in your immune system. Your immune system is programmed to protect you from harmful threats. But if you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system thinks healthy cells called beta cells are the enemy and attacks them.
In the pancreas, insulin is made by beta cells. With type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks these beta cells.
When enough of these cells are damaged, it becomes harder for your body to make insulin and keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed after symptoms appear, when a person is unable to make enough insulin. But the fact is, the attack on beta cells starts long before symptoms start.
There are 3 stages of 
TYPE 1 DIABETES
Early-stage (or pre–insulin-dependent) type 1 diabetes is when the attack on beta cells has begun but the body can still make enough insulin to keep blood sugars in a relatively healthy range.
STAGE
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Early-stage type 1 diabetes
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Beta cell attack begins
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Blood sugars are within a normal range
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No visible signs or symptoms
STAGE
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Early-stage type 1 diabetes
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Beta cell attack continues
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Blood sugars are higher or lower than a normal range
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No visible signs or symptoms
STAGE
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Insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes
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Body no longer able to make enough or any insulin
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Blood sugars are much higher than normal range
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Visible signs and symptoms appear, and insulin dependence begins
*This stage is when type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed.
You can spot
TYPE 1
DIABETES
EARLY
When the attack on beta cells begins, proteins called autoantibodies appear in the blood.
A screening test can find these autoantibodies in the blood. If the test finds 2 or more autoantibodies, it's a sign that type 1 diabetes has begun—before you need insulin.
You can spot
TYPE 1
DIABETES
EARLY
When the attack on beta cells begins, proteins called autoantibodies appear in the blood.
A screening test can find these autoantibodies in the blood. If the test finds 2 or more autoantibodies, it's a sign that type 1 diabetes has begun—before you need insulin.
