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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 1 diabetes signs and symptoms can come on quickly and may include:

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream, fluid is pulled from your tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.
  • Extreme hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This triggers intense hunger that may persist even after you eat. Without insulin, the sugar in your food never reaches your energy-starved tissues.
  • Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight — sometimes rapidly. Without the energy sugar supplies, your muscle tissues and fat stores may simply shrink.
  • Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
  • Blurred vision. If your blood sugar level is too high, fluid may be pulled from your tissues — including the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus clearly.

When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if you're concerned about diabetes or if you notice any type 1 diabetes signs and symptoms.

Causes Definition
References
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  2. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2009. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/reprint/32/Supplement_1/S13. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  3. Eisenbarth GS, et al. Pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  4. Gillespie KM. Type 1 diabetes: Pathogenesis and prevention. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2006;175. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/115743848-3/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=163/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=16. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Heart disease and stroke statistics — 2009 update. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/123565990943909Heart%20and%20Stroke%20Update.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  6. Your guide to diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/index.htm. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  7. What people with diabetes need to know about osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Jovanavic L. Successful pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes: From preconception through postpartum care. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2006;35:79.
  9. Bainbridge KE. Diabetes and hearing impairment in the United States: Audiometric evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2004. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;149:1.
  10. Estimated average glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  11. Pfizer statement on Exubera labeling update in the United States. Pfizer.com. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  12. About omnipod. Omnipod.com. http://www.myomnipod.com/products/. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  13. Symlin (prescribing information). San Diego, Calif.: Amylin Pharmaceuticals; 2008.
  14. Diabetes and women's sexual health. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/women-sexual-health.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  15. Hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/index.htm. Accessed April 2, 2009.
  16. Diabetes and employment. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/32/Supplement_1/S80. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  17. Robertson RP. Pancreas and islet transplantation in diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  18. Voltarelli J, et al. Autologous nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007;297:1568.
  19. Havas S, et al. Tight control of type 1 diabetes: Recommendations for patients. American Family Physician. 2006;74:971.
  20. The dangerous toll of diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/dangerous-toll.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  21. High blood sugar: Definition, symptoms. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC92D98E-1321-C844-13EB771367A49526. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  22. Smoking. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/smoking.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  23. TrialNet studies. TrialNet. http://www.diabetestrialnet.org/patientinfo/studies.htm. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  24. Collazo-Clavell ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. April 14, 2009.
  25. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

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June 13, 2009

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