Type 1. Type 2. Same name, different stories. Understanding the difference helps you or a loved one get the right care.
What to know
- The core difference:
- Type 1: Autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks insulin‑making cells. The body makes little or no insulin. Insulin is required for survival.
- Type 2: The body still makes insulin but doesn’t use it well (insulin resistance). Over time, the pancreas can’t keep up.
- Who gets it:
- Type 1 can happen at any age, often in children/young adults.
- Type 2 is more common in adults but increasingly seen in teens.
- Onset:
- Type 1 often starts quickly with symptoms like frequent urination, extreme thirst, weight loss, and fatigue. DKA can be a first sign.
- Type 2 often creeps up slowly—sometimes no symptoms at first.
- Treatment:
- Type 1: Insulin, meal planning, glucose monitoring (meter/CGM); tech like pumps/hybrid closed loop may help.
- Type 2: Lifestyle changes; medications (metformin, GLP‑1 RAs, SGLT2 inhibitors, etc.); sometimes insulin.
- Screening:
- Type 1: Autoantibody testing in certain cases; family screening programs exist.
- Type 2: Routine screening starting at age 35 or earlier with risk factors.
Take action
- Learn the red flags of DKA (Type 1): nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath, deep breathing—seek urgent care.
- If you have risk factors for Type 2 (family history, higher weight, inactivity, certain ethnicities, gestational diabetes history), ask about screening.
- Ask your care team about the best glucose monitoring method and your personal targets.
- Consider diabetes education to build day‑to‑day skills.
Talk to your doctor about
- Whether your pattern fits Type 1, Type 2, LADA (late autoimmune diabetes in adults), or another form (e.g., MODY).
- Best medication plan and when to adjust doses.
- CGM, insulin pens/pumps, or smart pens to simplify care.
- Screening for complications (eyes, kidneys, nerves) and heart risks.
Quick glossary
- Autoimmune: when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
- DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis): dangerous buildup of acids in the blood, usually in Type 1.
- Insulin resistance: cells don’t respond well to insulin, common in Type 2.
- LADA/MODY: less common forms of diabetes with different causes.
Safety note
Educational only—work with your clinician for diagnosis and treatment decisions.