Type 1 Diabetes: Meaning and Why Some Labels Exclude It
App Library Tools Pricing Download
[Glossary · How doses act in the body]

Type 1 diabetes

Also called T1D, insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, LADA · Reviewed

Definition: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, so the body makes little or no insulin. MedlinePlus says people with it need insulin every day, by injection or an insulin pump. NIDDK says it is most common in children and young adults but can start at any age.

Why missed insulin is serious

Without insulin, glucose stays in the blood and the liver breaks down fat for energy, which makes ketones. MedlinePlus calls the result, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency. NIDDK also describes latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), where adults have the same autoantibodies but symptoms come on more slowly.

How labels treat type 1

  • Insulin labels such as Lantus (basal) and Humalog (rapid-acting) are approved for diabetes in adults and children, which covers type 1.
  • The Jardiance and Farxiga labels say they are not for blood sugar control in type 1. Jardiance says that in type 1 it greatly raises the risk of DKA, and fatal cases have occurred.
  • The metformin patient leaflet says it is not for people with type 1 diabetes.

Why it matters for your log

With several insulin shots a day, a skipped or doubled dose is easy to miss. A log of each shot with its time and units, kept next to glucose readings, shows the gaps and makes the A1C easier to read.

Read more on Dose Track: GLP-1 medicines and type 1 diabetes · Lantus side effects · Humalog side effects · Insulin glargine guide

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes is a long-term disease in which blood glucose (blood sugar) is higher than normal because… Diabetic ketoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening build-up of acids called ketones in the blood. It is the… Basal insulinBasal insulin is long-acting insulin, usually injected once a day, that gives a steady background level of… Rapid-acting insulinRapid-acting insulin is a mealtime insulin that starts working quickly and wears off within hours. NIDDK… HypoglycemiaHypoglycemia means low blood glucose (blood sugar). MedlinePlus says that for many people with diabetes… HbA1c (hemoglobin A1C)HbA1c , or A1C, is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar over the past two to three months.…

Frequently asked questions

Can type 1 diabetes start in adults?+
Yes. NIDDK says it is more common in children and young adults but can develop at any age. Some adults have a slower form called LADA.
Why do some diabetes labels say not for type 1?+
Some medicines were not shown to work for it or carry extra risk. The Jardiance label, for example, says it greatly raises the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus (NIH): Diabetes type 1
  2. NIDDK (NIH): Type 1 diabetes
  3. Lantus (insulin glargine) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  4. Humalog (insulin lispro) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  5. Jardiance (empagliflozin) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  6. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  7. Metformin hydrochloride tablets US prescribing information, DailyMed

All glossary terms · Goals and conditions · Compound guides · Common questions · Help center