Type 1 diabetes risk factors: who is more likely to get it

What type 1 diabetes is

With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't make insulin or makes very little, so people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day (CDC). It develops when the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells (NIDDK). This process can go on for months or years before any symptoms appear (CDC). Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2: about 5 to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1 (CDC).

Who is more likely to get type 1 diabetes

The CDC says risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as clear as for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (CDC). Known risk factors include:

• Family history. Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes (CDC). MedlinePlus puts it as: having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes may increase your chance of developing it (MedlinePlus).
• Age. You can get type 1 diabetes at any age, but it usually develops in children, teens, or young adults (CDC).
• Race. In the United States, White people are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes than African American and Hispanic or Latino people (CDC).
• Genes. Some people have certain genes that increase their chance of developing type 1 diabetes, but many of them won't go on to have it even if they have the genes (CDC).
• Something in the environment. A trigger in the environment, such as a virus, may also play a part (CDC). NIDDK says genes and factors in the environment may trigger the immune system to destroy beta cells (NIDDK).

Diet and lifestyle habits don't cause type 1 diabetes (CDC). Researchers don't yet know exactly why the immune system attacks the pancreas (MedlinePlus), and studies such as The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) are trying to learn more about the causes (NIDDK).

Warning signs

People with type 1 diabetes in its early stages don't have any symptoms. As it progresses, symptoms can appear suddenly, in just a few weeks or months, and can be severe (CDC). MedlinePlus lists feeling very thirsty, feeling very hungry, urinating more often (including at night), fatigue, blurry vision, losing feeling or tingling in the feet or hands, sores that don't heal, and losing weight without trying (MedlinePlus).

Children with type 1 diabetes typically develop symptoms over a short period of time, such as having to urinate more often, eating more but losing weight, and feeling very thirsty. For some adults, symptoms may develop slowly and seem more like type 2 diabetes (NIDDK). If you think you could have type 1 diabetes, the CDC says to see your doctor to get your blood sugar tested (CDC).

DKA usually develops slowly. Early symptoms are being very thirsty and urinating a lot more than usual. If untreated, more severe symptoms can appear quickly, such as fast, deep breathing, dry skin and mouth, a flushed face, fruity-smelling breath, headache, muscle stiffness or aches, being very tired, nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain (CDC). DKA is most common among people with type 1 diabetes (CDC).

Testing and screening

A simple blood test is used to screen for diabetes. If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes or are at high risk for it, you may also be screened for diabetes-related autoantibodies, which can detect early stages of type 1 diabetes that can be treated before symptoms and serious complications appear (CDC). Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed successfully (CDC).

Type 2 diabetes has a different, longer list of risk factors, such as overweight, age 45 or older and low physical activity; see type 2 diabetes risk factors (CDC). For what the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says about testing children and teens for type 2 diabetes, see the child and teen diabetes screening check.

Common questions

Can adults get type 1 diabetes?

Yes. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can begin at any age. Some adults who develop diabetes may need special tests to find out which type they have (NIDDK).

Can eating too much sugar cause type 1 diabetes?

No. The CDC says diet and lifestyle habits don't cause type 1 diabetes; it is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction, in which the body attacks itself by mistake (CDC).

If my brother or sister has type 1 diabetes, will I get it?

Not necessarily. A parent, brother or sister with type 1 diabetes is a known risk factor (CDC), and many people who carry genes that raise the chance never develop it (CDC). If your doctor thinks you are at high risk, you may be screened for diabetes-related autoantibodies (CDC).