imageSlide

Diabetes: Power in knowledge

100px
Photograph of a person running outside at night. Text over image: Diabetes: Power in knowledge. Get Care. Explore LillyDirect.
two
primary
Get care
link
#get-care
Get care for diabetes
secondary
Explore LillyDirect
link
https://www.lilly.com/lillydirect/
Glucometer icon

Diabetes doesn't stand still and neither do you. It's a chronic condition that impacts how your body turns food into energy.

36px
spacer
medium
spacer
medium
spacer
large
More than 800 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. Learn how to actively manage your diabetes with medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
20px
spacer
large
spacer
large
spacer
large
spacer
small
spacer
large
spacer
large
spacer
small
center
KNOW THE TYPES
primary

Understanding the
three types of diabetes

100px
Your treatment options may depend on the type of diabetes you are diagnosed with. Knowing the type helps ensure correct care and empowers self-management, risk awareness, and understanding of complications.
20px
spacer
medium
spacer
medium
spacer
medium
center

Learn about the differences:

20px
spacer
medium
Learn about the differences:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes
right
Photograph of a person's face

Type 1 diabetes

48px
  • What is it: The body can't make insulin or makes very little insulin
  • Who gets it: Often starts in kids or teens, but can also develop in adulthood
  • Risk factors: Linked to family history and environmental factors
  • Insulin use: Yes
  • Can it be prevented: No
  • Treatment: Insulin injections or pump and lifestyle management
20px
Learn more
link
/conditions/diabetes/type-1
Learn more about Type 1 diabetes
right
Photograph of a person using a glucometer

Type 2 diabetes

48px
  • What it is: The body doesn't use insulin well
  • Who gets it: Although more common in adults, kids can also develop type 2 diabetes
  • Risk factors: Often linked to family history, lifestyle or environment factors
  • Insulin use: Sometimes, but not always
  • Can it be prevented: Sometimes
  • Treatment: Lifestyle modifications and medicine
20px
Learn more
link
/conditions/diabetes/type-2
Learn more about type 2 diabetes
right
Photograph of a pregnant woman sitting down in a chair

Gestational diabetes

48px
Gestational diabetes occurs when the body can’t produce enough insulin during pregnancy, even without a prior diabetes diagnosis.

The American Diabetes Association has more information and resources about gestational diabetes.
20px
Learn more
link
https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes?utm_source=lilly&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ue-condition&utm_content=diabetes-empower-gestational-diabetes-resources
Visit the ADA website for resources on gestational diabetes
newTab
general-third-parties
DIABETES SYMPTOMS

Symptoms vary from person to person

100px
In the U.S., more than 38 million adults have diabetes.
Some symptoms are noticeable and severe while other symptoms are less noticeable and milder. Below are some examples of symptoms.
20px
spacer
medium
center

Experiencing symptoms? Find care

48px
Explore independent in-person and virtual care options
16px
one
Get care
link
#get-care
Get Care, Talk to a doctor
spacer
large
spacer
large
spacer
small
spacer
large
spacer
large

Diabetes is not a lifestyle choice

100px
There are many people living with diabetes who experience negative attitudes and judgment.

Diabetes is a condition that changes over time. Even if you’re doing everything right, your blood sugar can still go up and down. Managing diabetes takes work every day. Work like checking your A1C, taking medicine on time, being prepared, and dealing with costs.

It’s not easy, but you’re not alone. Every healthy choice you make is a step in the right direction.
20px
left
Photograph of two people hugging while standing in a kitchen. Text over image: 4 common misconceptions about diabetes. Read article.
4 common misconceptions about diabetes
48px
Read article
link
/find-care/well-being/content/621bdd6a-9e34-433d-8704-d4d77ba9cb9e
Read article titled 4 common misconceptions about diabetes

DIABETES DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing diabetes typically starts with measuring blood sugar levels

100px
spacer
small
spacer
medium
spacer
medium

What is A1C?

24px
standardTitle
2Column
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. The higher your blood sugar or A1C level, the higher your risk of developing problems related to diabetes. Usually, people with type 2 diabetes get an A1C test at least twice a year.
contentTypeDescription
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months. The higher your blood sugar or A1C level, the higher your risk of developing problems related to diabetes. Your doctor will tell you how often to get the A1C test. Usually, it's at least twice a year if you're meeting your treatment goals. If you're not meeting your goals or you change treatments, you might need the test more often.
20px
secContentTypeImage
Photograph of a doctor standing next to their patient while having a conversation with the patient.

Understand the numbers

24px
standardTitle
2Column
A1C levels are numbers in the form of a percentage. A high percentage means a high blood sugar level. The goal for most adults with type 2 diabetes is an A1C level that is less than 7%, according to the American Diabetes Association. Your doctor will help you set your individual goal.
contentTypeDescription
The A1C test shows your blood sugar levels as a percentage. It tells you how much sugar has been sticking to your blood cells over the past few months. A higher percentage means your blood sugar has been too high for a while, which isn't good for your health. Most non-pregnant adults with type 2 diabetes should try to keep their A1C below 7%, according to the American Diabetes Association, but your doctor will help you set the right goal for you.
secContentTypeImage
Photograph of doctor discussing information on a clipboard with a patient.
center
TALK TO A DOCTOR
primary

Find a diabetes
specialist

100px
Diabetes specialists can be hard to find, but they don't have to be.
24px
spacer
small
spacer
small
Photograph of a person on a video call, through their phone, with their doctor.

Get independent virtual care

24px

Independent virtual care for diabetes, all from the comfort of your home.

Enjoy the benefits of:

  • Potential insurance coverage: Covered by many insurance plans nationwide, including Medicare and select Medicaid plans depending on the provider. Self-pay options are also available.
  • Quick access: Appointments are typically available within a week.
  • Expert care and support: Access diabetes specialists.
16px
one
Explore options
link
/content/ewi-lilly-com-aem-webapp/us/en/find-care/telehealth/diabetes
Connect now with independent virtual care providers (link to external website)
newTab
select
link
/find-care/telehealth/diabetes
Learn more about independent virtual care provider 9amHealth
Photograph of a person getting their blood pressure taken by their doctor.

Find independent in-person care

24px

Healthgrades is an independent search tool. Search for care by what matters most to you.

Filter by:

  • Insurance
  • Specialty
  • Distance
  • And more!
16px
one
Search now
link
/find-care/in-person-care?condition=diabetes
Search for independent in-person care providers
embedded-tools-healthgrades
link
https://www.lilly.com/find-care/telehealth/diabetes
right
Photograph of a person standing up while cooking in a kitchen.

Treatment and trials

Diabetes doesn’t stand still, and neither do we

48px
Managing diabetes often involves changes to your lifestyle and taking medicine. It's important to work with your healthcare team to find the best plan for you.

Learn about Lilly's FDA-approved treatment options for people living with diabetes.
16px
one
Explore Lilly medicines
link
/medicines/current
spacer
large
spacer
large
center

The potential to change what's
possible in diabetes care

48px
Making life better for people with diabetes has been Lilly's heartbeat for 100 years. More people participating in clinical trials could potentially make way for medical discoveries in the future.
20px
one
Explore trials
link
https://trials.lilly.com/en-US/research-areas/diabetes?utm_source=lilly&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ue-condition&utm_content=diabetes-empower-clinical-trials
Explore diabetes clinical trials
spacer
large
center

WELL-BEING

Health is more than a prescription

100px
Taking your medicine is important and so is taking care of your overall health. That's why Lilly's well-being library has science-backed resources on sleep, food, movement, connection, and  stress management to help those living with diabetes.
20px
All Pillars
All Pillars
Connection
Connection
Food
Food
Movement
Movement
Sleep
Sleep
Stress Management
Stress Management
unex-wellbeing-carousel
diabetes
spacer
large
spacer
large
spacer
large
primary
small
unex-wellbeing-carousel
diabetes
connection
spacer
large
spacer
large
unex-wellbeing-carousel
diabetes
food
spacer
large
spacer
large
unex-wellbeing-carousel
diabetes
movement
spacer
large
spacer
large
unex-wellbeing-carousel
diabetes
sleep
spacer
large
spacer
large
unex-wellbeing-carousel
diabetes
stress management
8
spacer
large
spacer
large
unex-thrive-ai
unex-crm-form