Sumbal Jesrani
Most adults and children get diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after they show signs and symptoms. However, do you know you can get diagnosed at the early stages of type 1 diabetes when there are no symptoms? It prevents late repercussions and helps in better management.
Today, we will tell you about the stages of type 1 diabetes, its signs and symptoms, how to recognize it earlier, and better ways to manage it.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This occurs when the immune system targets and eliminates the cells responsible for producing insulin. As a result, blood flow to vital organs decreases, leading to fatigue and elevated blood sugar levels.
Also Read: A Realistic Guide to Type 1 Diabetes Self-Care: Mastering the Balance
What are the Stages of Type 1 Diabetes?
There are three stages of type 1 diabetes. It starts with developing antibodies for beta cells, followed by their destruction. Let’s look at the different stages of diabetes.
Did you know people with a family history have a 15 times higher risk of getting type 1 diabetes than people who don’t have any?
Stage 1
It is the first stage of type 1 diabetes where one or two antibodies for beta cells are present in our blood. It means that our body has started to develop antibodies to target insulin production.
The blood glucose levels are normal at this stage. In addition, there are no signs or symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
Diagnosis Method:
A screening test will confirm the first stage of type 1 diabetes. This test is called the diabetes autoantibody panel. The test will be positive if you have at least one beta-cell antibody in your blood.
Stage 2:
This stage is also called the prediabetic stage. In this stage, there is a significant loss in beta cell function. This results in elevated blood glucose levels.
The patient may have a slight increase in thirst or urination, but they go unnoticed. There is 75% certainty that one will develop type 1 diabetes within five years if you are at stage 2.
Diagnosis Method:
There are a few tests and blood glucose check that will help you identify type 1 diabetes
- Fasting Blood Sugar: It tests your blood glucose levels after 12 hours of fasting.
- Random Blood Sugar: it tells the blood glucose levels at any time of day.
- Hemoglobin A1c Blood Test: It gives you average blood glucose levels for the past three months.
- Diabetes Autoantibody Panel: It determines the types of Beta-cell autoantibodies present in the blood.
| Tests | Normal Values (Nondiabetic) | Results in Stage 2 T1D(Prediabetic) | Diabetic Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting Blood Sugar | 70-99 mg/dl | 100-125 mg/dl | >125 mg/dl |
| Random Blood Sugar | >140 mg/dl | 140-200 mg/dl | >150 mg/dl |
| HbA1c | >5.6% | 5.6-6-5% | >6.5% |
| Diabetes autoantibody panel | No antibodies | More than two antibodies | Autoantibodies present |
Stage 3
It is the phase where patients experience symptoms for the first time. There is almost no insulin production. Eventually, the blood glucose levels in the body go off the charts.
At stage 3, the patient will show the following signs and symptoms
- Excessive thirst (polyurea)
- Frequent hunger (polyphagia)
- More urge to urinate (polyuria)
- Fatigue
- Bed wetting in children
- Sudden weight loss
- Blurry vision
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
In the final stage of type 1 diabetes, patients may develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication. This occurs when the body doesn’t receive enough glucose. Due to the absence of insulin, the organs are unable to access glucose for energy and begin to break down fats and proteins instead. This process leads to the production of ketones, a state known as ketosis
Therefore, excessive lactic acid accumulation occurs in the body. This causes:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Dry or flushed skin
- Shallow breathing
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Fruity breath
- Body ache
About 30-60% of people get diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at this stage. So, it is essential to consider all the signs and symptoms and approach a doctor before the condition gets worse.
Diagnosis: A urine test to detect diabetic ketoacidosis.
Management and Treatment of Stages of Type 1 Diabetes
The following are different treatment approaches in these three stages of type 1 diabetes
| Type 1 diabetic stage | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 |
|
| Stage 2 |
|
| Stage 3 |
|
| Diabetic Ketoacidosis |
|
Why are the Stages of Type 1 Diabetes Important?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs over a span of years rather than days. Staging them helps in the early diagnosis and treatment to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and fatal incidents. It also helps to track diabetes progression and test new treatment approaches in type 1 diabetes.
Final Words
Recognizing the stages of type 1 diabetes helps in better prevention. Research has revealed that type 1 diabetic patients who underwent intensive treatment for 6.5 years have lower complication and mortality risk. So, if you have a family history of type 1 diabetes, don’t be hesitant to get early screenings and learn about the latest advancements in research regarding diabetes.
