Type 1 Diabetes

Topic

An autoimmune disease that Marty Makary hopes to see a cure or meaningful treatment for during the Trump administration's term.


First Mentioned

1/16/2026, 4:43:42 AM

Last Updated

1/16/2026, 4:49:25 AM

Research Retrieved

1/16/2026, 4:49:25 AM

Summary

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system's destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in a total or near-total deficiency of insulin. This condition leads to high blood sugar levels and requires lifelong insulin therapy via injections or pumps, as well as careful management of diet and exercise. While it historically was known as juvenile diabetes due to its frequent onset in children and adolescents, it can develop at any age and currently accounts for 5–10% of all diabetes cases. Recent initiatives, such as those outlined by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, have prioritized finding a definitive cure for the disease, exploring advanced medical frontiers like cell and gene therapy and CARTT therapy.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Disease Type

    Autoimmune disease

  • US Prevalence

    Estimated 1.25 to 3 million people

  • Common Symptoms

    Frequent urination, increased thirst/hunger, weight loss, blurry vision, tiredness, slow wound healing

  • Primary Mechanism

    Destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas

  • Diagnostic Methods

    Blood sugar levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), autoantibody testing, C-peptide levels

  • Standard Treatment

    Lifelong insulin therapy (injections or insulin pump)

  • Potential Complications

    Diabetic ketoacidosis, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage

  • Global Incidence (Children)

    Approximately 80,000 new cases annually

  • Proportion of Total Diabetes

    5–10%

Timeline
  • Global incidence of Type 1 diabetes begins a gradual increase of approximately 3–4% per year. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1950-01-01

  • A study suggests a potential relationship between COVID-19 infection and the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2023-01-01

  • FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, under the Trump Administration, sets a clear goal to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes during the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. (Source: Document 065d2e96-4d40-49bd-8511-d8d35f8b01f4)

    2025-01-01

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D), or type 1 diabetes mellitus, is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin. Insulin is required by the body to store and convert blood sugar into energy. T1D results in high blood sugar levels in the body prior to treatment. Common symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, and other complications. Additional symptoms may include blurry vision, tiredness, and slow wound healing (owing to impaired blood flow). While some cases take longer, symptoms usually appear within weeks or a few months. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not completely understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The underlying mechanism involves an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Diabetes is diagnosed by testing the level of sugar or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) in the blood. Type 1 diabetes can typically be distinguished from type 2 by testing for the presence of autoantibodies and/or declining levels/absence of C-peptide. There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Treatment with insulin is required for survival. Insulin therapy is usually given by injection just under the skin but can also be delivered by an insulin pump. A diabetic diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications are considered cornerstones of management. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. Complications of relatively rapid onset include diabetic ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma. Long-term complications include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes. Furthermore, since insulin lowers blood sugar levels, complications may arise from low blood sugar if more insulin is taken than necessary. Type 1 diabetes makes up an estimated 5–10% of all diabetes cases. The number of people affected globally is unknown, although it is estimated that about 80,000 children develop the disease each year. Within the United States the number of people affected is estimated to be one to three million. Rates of disease vary widely, with approximately one new case per 100,000 per year in East Asia and Latin America and around 30 new cases per 100,000 per year in Scandinavia and Kuwait. It typically begins in children and young adults but can begin at any age.

Web Search Results
  • Type 1 Diabetes - NIDDK

    ## What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood glucose, also called blood sugar, get into the body’s cells to be used as energy. When your body doesn’t have enough insulin, glucose in your blood can’t get into the cells. As a result, your cells lack energy, your blood glucose level goes up, and you develop diabetes. A problem with the body’s immune system causes type 1 diabetes. Your immune system normally fights infections. Type 1 diabetes develops when the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. When the immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, it’s called autoimmunity. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. [...] ## Who is more likely to have type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes occurs more commonly in children and young adults, but it can develop at any age. Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes increases your chance of developing the disease. People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have the disease for the rest of their lives. Some people with type 1 diabetes can get a pancreatic islet or pancreas transplant and make insulin again. However, these transplants don’t cure type 1 diabetes. People still need to take medicines called immunosuppressants to prevent the immune system from attacking and destroying the new islets or pancreas. [...] Type 1 diabetes is increasing among youth from certain racial and ethnic groups. However, new cases of type 1 diabetes are most common among White youth. Adults with diabetes who are younger than age 35 and have a healthy body weight are more likely to have type 1 diabetes than type 2 diabetes.2 ## What health problems can people with type 1 diabetes develop? People with type 1 diabetes can develop the same diabetes health problems as people with other types of diabetes. High blood glucose levels from diabetes can damage many parts of your body, including your heart kidneys nerves eyes feet teeth People with diabetes may also have high blood pressure or cholesterol problems. Diabetes is also linked to some types of cancer.

  • Type 1 Diabetes - CDC

    Type 1 diabetes was once called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes. It often develops in children, teens, and young adults, but it can happen at any age. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2—about 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed successfully by: Following your doctor's recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle. Managing your blood sugar. Getting regular health checkups. Getting diabetes self-management education and support. ## Signs and symptoms People with type 1 diabetes in its early stages don't have any symptoms. As type 1 progresses, symptoms can appear suddenly, in just a few weeks or months, and can be severe. [...] # Type 1 Diabetes Español ## Key points With type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn't make insulin or makes very little insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day. Currently, type 1 diabetes can't be prevented, but it can be treated effectively. ## What is type 1 diabetes? If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn't make insulin or makes very little insulin. Insulin helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body for use as energy. Without insulin, blood sugar can't get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. [...] ## Causes Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). This reaction destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells. This process can go on for months or years before any symptoms appear. Some people have certain genes (traits passed on from parent to child) that increase their chance of developing type 1 diabetes. However, many of them won't go on to have type 1 diabetes even if they have the genes. A trigger in the environment, such as a virus, may also play a part in developing type 1 diabetes. Diet and lifestyle habits don't cause type 1 diabetes. ## Testing and screening

  • Type 1 diabetes - Wikipedia

    Type 1 diabetes is caused by the destruction of β-cells—the only cells in the body that produce insulin—and the consequent progressive insulin deficiency. Without insulin, the body cannot respond effectively to increases in blood sugar. Due to this, people with diabetes have persistent hyperglycemia. In 70–90% of cases, β-cells are destroyed by one's own immune system, for reasons that are not entirely clear. The best-studied components of this autoimmune response are β-cell-targeted antibodies that begin to develop in the months or years before symptoms arise. Typically, someone will first develop antibodies against insulin or the protein GAD65, followed eventually by antibodies against the proteins IA-2, IA-2β, and/or ZNT8. People with a higher level of these antibodies, especially [...] Since the 1950s, the incidence of type 1 diabetes has been gradually increasing across the world by an average 3–4% per year. The increase is more pronounced in countries that began with a lower incidence of type 1 diabetes. A single 2023 study suggested a relationship between COVID-19 infection and the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children; confirmatory studies have not appeared to date. ## Type 1 diabetes in youth [edit] Type 1 diabetes, also known as "juvenile-onset" diabetes is increasing in children and adolescents under the age of 15. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the beta-cells produced by the pancreas; therefore, causing the body to have insulin deficiency. The number of diagnoses is increasing all around the world. [...] #### Genetically induced [edit] Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component. Although environmental factors also play a significant role, the genetic susceptibility to T1D is well established, with several genes and loci implicated in disease development.

  • Type 1 diabetes - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

    If you have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you may be wondering what treatment looks like. It could mean taking insulin, counting carbohydrates, fat protein, and monitoring your glucose frequently, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight. Generally, those with type 1 diabetes will need lifelong insulin therapy. There are many different types of insulin and more are being developed that are more efficient. And what you may take may change. Again, your doctor will help you navigate what's right for you. A significant advance in treatment from the last several years has been the development and availability of continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps that automatically adjust insulin working with the continuous glucose monitor. This type of [...] The fact that we don't know what causes type 1 diabetes can be alarming. The fact that we don't have a cure for it even more so. But with the right doctor, medical team and treatment, type 1 diabetes can be managed. So those who live with it can get on living. If you would like to learn even more about type 1 diabetes, watch our other related videos or visit mayoclinic.org. We wish you well. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. [...] I'm Dr. Yogish C. Kudva an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic. In this video, we'll cover the basics of type 1 diabetes. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love. We are here to give you the best information available. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the insulin making cells of the pancreas. It's estimated that about 1.25 million Americans live with it. People with type 1 diabetes don't make enough insulin. An important hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin allows your cells to store sugar or glucose and fat and produce energy. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. But treatment can prevent complications and also improve everyday life for patients with type 1 diabetes. Lots of

  • Type 1 Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

    Abu Dhabi|Canada|Florida|London|Nevada|Ohio| 855.733.3712|MyChart|Need Help?|Careers|Donate Now| Find a ProviderLocations and DirectionsServicesPatients and VisitorsHealth Library Find a Provider Locations and Directions Services Patients and Visitors Health Library Home/ Health Library/ Diseases & Conditions/ Type 1 Diabetes Advertisement Advertisement # Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that causes a lack of insulin, an essential hormone. It requires daily management with insulin injections and glucose monitoring. Both children and adults can be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Advertisement [...] #### Is there a cure for Type 1 diabetes? There’s currently no cure for Type 1 diabetes. But scientists are working on ways to prevent or slow down the progression of the condition through studies like TrialNet. T1D can run in families. So, your healthcare provider may be able to test your family members for the autoantibodies that cause the disease. Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet also offers this testing. The presence of autoantibodies, even without diabetes symptoms, means you’re more likely to develop the condition. If someone has early signs of the autoantibodies, they may be able to take a medication that delays T1D. It’s called teplizumab. It can delay the development of T1D symptoms and the need for insulin injections. It’s an infusion you get once a day over several days.