Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night
Are very thirsty
Lose weight without trying
Sudden vision changes
Are very hungry
Feel very tired
Stomach pains
Nausea or vomiting
Very dry skin
Sores that heal slowly
Increase in infections
Fruity odour on breath
“T1D is caused by poor lifestyle choices”
“Only children get T1D”
“Insulin is only needed in severe cases of T1D”
“People with T1D can't live normal lives”
“People with T1D should avoid physical activity”
Random blood glucose test
Fasting blood glucose test
Glycated hemoglobin test
Autoantibody test
Ketone test
Medication
Your care team will help you put together your treatment plan, which can include medicine and lifestyle adjustments.
When diagnosed with T1D, you'll likely need to start taking insulin shots (or wear an insulin pump) every day.
Regular blood sugar checks will help you monitor your progress and keep your blood sugar close to your target goal. Your care team will help you figure out how often to check your blood sugar and what your blood sugar target should be.
Devices
There are many devices available for the management of T1D. Depending on your current treatment plan, some devices may be a better fit for you over others. Talk to your doctor about which device works best for you.
Monitoring your blood glucose levels:
- A blood glucose meter allows you to check your current blood sugar level through a finger prick to obtain a blood sample.
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are a sensor that is placed on your skin. Your blood sugar levels are then sent to a small device or smartphone.
Delivering insulin to the body:
- Insulin injections are self-administered doses of insulin delivered through a syringe or pen
- A smart insulin pen is a reusable pen that connects to a smartphone app. You can track insulin doses and blood sugar levels. Some apps will offer reminders, alerts, and reports.
- Insulin pumps are wearable devices that automatically deliver a personalised dose of insulin to the body.
- Automated insulin delivery systems can measure your blood sugar levels and can automatically deliver insulin to the body.
Managing a healthy lifestyle
Managing a healthy lifestyle and habits is one of the ways you can take care of yourself during your journey with T1D. It's important to focus on the 5 pillars of well-being: movement, food, stress management, sleep, and connection.
For additional community resources to help you feel more connected, visit Breakthrough T1D.
