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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)