Ask an Expert FAQs — Your Type 1 Questions Answered
Q: What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
A: The symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually appear suddenly and may progress quickly. The following symptoms warrant a call to the physician or a trip to the emergency room.
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Weight loss despite increased appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Absence of menstruation
Children with type 1 diabetes may also be restless, apathetic, and have trouble functioning at school. In rare cases with extremely high blood sugar a diabetic coma may be the first sign of type 1 diabetes.
The following tests can be used to diagnose diabetes:
- Fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher
- Random (nonfasting) blood glucose over 200 mg/dL (this must be confirmed with a fasting test)
- A1C greater than or equal to 6.5
- Insulin test (low or undetectable level of insulin)
- C-peptide test (low or undetectable level of the protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production)
Insulin administered by injection or insulin pump, along with meal planning and exercise, is the treatment for type 1 diabetes.
The following links have more information.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000305.htm#Symptoms
http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/type-1/diabetes-symptoms/index.html
http://diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/resources.jsp
– Deborah Greenwood APRN,BC-ADM, MEd, CDE
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Reviewed by Jason C. Baker, MD (5/13)
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