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Types of Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes
  • Pre-diabetes is the state that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
  • About 11 percent of people with pre-diabetes developed type 2 diabetes each year during the average 3 years of follow-up.
  • Other studies show that many people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes in 10 years.

Type 1 Diabetes
  • Occurs when the body’s immune system launches an attack against the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Over time, the quantity of insulin declines in the bloodstream and glucose cannot be transferred into cells resulting in cell damaged.
  • Signs and symptoms:
    High blood glucose levels, weight loss, increased urination, hunger, thirst, and large amounts of ketones (by-products formed when the body breaks down fat for energy) in the blood and urine.
  • Treatment: Injected insulin

Type 2 Diabetes
  • More common than type 1 diabetes
  • Not caused by an autoimmune attack
  • Typical underlying problems:

    Insulin resistance
    • The cells of the body have a decreased response to insulin.
    • Typically under normal circumstances, when blood glucose levels are high, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream; insulin then interacts with cells to use the glucose for energy or to be stored for use later.

    Inadequate insulin production
    • Insulin becomes less effective in transporting glucose and the pancreas loses the ability to produce enough extra insulin to compensate for insulin’s decreased effectiveness.

For more details on the University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, please call 440-285-7757.