Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system is activated to destroy the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. The pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach, stops making insulin (a hormone) because the beta cells that make the insulin have been destroyed by the body’s own immune system. People living with Type 1 diabetes depend on insulin daily to replace the insulin the body cannot produce. Without insulin, your blood glucose levels would increase rapidly, and you could become very ill. To monitor your insulin intake and overall wellbeing, you also must check your blood glucose levels throughout the day to ensure they stay within their target range and keep you safe and well. This can be done using a blood glucose monitor or continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM).