Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms And Diagnosis
Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is based on symptoms and blood tests.
Most people diagnosed have type 1 diabetes symptoms, symptoms of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which include:
- Excessive thirst
- Feeling tired
- Frequent urination
- Weight Loss
- Blurred vision
At times people experience symptoms of a problem called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). People with DKA have the symptoms of hyperglycemia, but in addition, often have as nausea and vomiting, belly pain, rapid breathing, feeling sluggish, trouble paying attention, and sometimes coma. DKA is a medical emergency and must be treated promptly in a hospital.
A simple blood test can diagnose diabetes. The test is usually repeated several times for confirmation. Having a higher than normal blood sugar level, as well as the symptoms described above, usually means that you have diabetes.
Determining whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes is usually straight forward, but sometimes it is not so clear. In those situations, family history, tests for antibodies (the autoimmune response), and clinical situation will help the doctor differentiate the two.
Read more about Type 1 Diabetes:
- Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes Treatment: Insulin Therapy
- Treating Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin Injections
- Types of Insulin