Different Types of Diabetes

Living with diabetes and staying healthy is possible with good diabetes management. By focusing on balanced meals, regular physical activity, medication use, and healthy daily habits, you can maintain healthy blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications. With the right tools, support, and mindset, people with diabetes can thrive and live whole, active lives.

Diabetes Management

Whether you’ve recently received a diabetes diagnosis or you’ve had diabetes for years, diabetes management is key to living a long, healthy life. No two days are the same in diabetes management, which is why looking at the big picture of your overall management is more important than focusing on just one blood sugar level. We’ll dive deeper into this later! Managing diabetes does not mean depriving yourself, nor should it cause you stress while doing so. Each person’s diabetes management is unique and should be tailored to their individual needs and preferences.

I’m Amy Kimberlain, the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) behind Amy’s Nutrition Kitchen! First things first, I do not have diabetes. However, I have worked in the diabetes space for over 10 years (dietetics for 25 years) and have a passion for helping people with diabetes. Whether you’re here for diabetes education, general wellness, or just for the recipes, let me be YOUR nutrition expert, guiding you to a healthier way of living.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases that can result from how insulin is produced, how the body responds to insulin, or both. Typically, the pancreas produces insulin and helps glucose enter the body’s cells. Glucose is then used for energy. When blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin will then attach itself to cells and help the glucose enter the cell to be used as energy.

However, in diabetes mellitus, insulin is either not produced or it is produced but is ineffective in helping glucose enter the cells for energy. These are the first signs of hyperglycemia or elevated blood sugar levels. Having elevated blood sugar levels over an extended period can impact various parts of the body. Knowing the signs and symptoms of diabetes can help prevent your body from going into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Additionally, this helps reduce the risk of complications that can arise from having perpetually elevated blood sugar levels.

Different Types of Diabetes

Most people are familiar with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and even gestational diabetes. However, other forms of diabetes are commonly diagnosed, which are essential to discuss as well.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body produces antibodies that destroy the beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin. As the number of cells decreases, the ability to produce insulin also decreases. Insulin levels decrease, and glucose begins to accumulate in the blood. To lower glucose levels, another source of insulin needs to be introduced to the body. The ‘other source’ of insulin will come from a vial, syringe, insulin pump, or pen. If type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed in time, the high levels of glucose can lead to ketoacidosis, which is deadly.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Previously, type 1 diabetes was termed ‘juvenile-onset diabetes’ as it was predominantly diagnosed during childhood and early adolescence. However, type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, which is one more reason to have a correct and timely diagnosis.

The beta cells are gradually destroyed, but the rate of destruction varies from person to person. While some people may experience a gradual decrease in beta cell production, others can lose function quite quickly. Some people will continue to produce small amounts of insulin after diagnosis, and the period during which they still make some is called the honeymoon phase. During this period, a person will need to introduce an outside source of insulin to manage blood sugar levels. The tricky part is knowing how much to dose since the pancreas still produces some insulin as well. Insulin levels that are administered from an external source need to be adjusted during this time.

Type 2 Diabetes

90-95% of people living with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Previously termed adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, it is now just referred to as type 2 diabetes. We are seeing earlier and earlier diagnoses with this type, even in young children. The body does produce insulin. However, the insulin it produces is often resistant and does not work as it should. Cells stop responding to the insulin in the bloodstream, resulting in elevated glucose levels. As glucose levels rise, the pancreas attempts to compensate by producing more insulin to remove the excess glucose. However, the cells are still not responding, and this cycle continues, leading to damaged and overworked beta cells, which results in the need for external insulin. This happens over time and is not instantaneous (requiring outside insulin).

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?

In the early stages before diagnosis, people can be diagnosed with prediabetes. At this time, lifestyle changes can help prevent the progression of the disease. However, it is essential to note that a diabetes diagnosis is dependent on a multitude of factors. The idea here is to work on the risk factors that you can manage and improve upon to help prevent the progression to a diagnosis, if possible. Some manageable risk factors include movement, meals, stress management (to a certain extent), and sleep habits. Risk factors that are outside our control include genetics, race or ethnicity, and age.

There are significant racial disparities not only in the incidence but also in the outcomes of type 2 diabetes. In a 2020 report by the CDC, ‘the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was highest among American Indians/Alaska Natives (16.0%), people of Hispanic origin (10.3%), and non-Hispanic [Black Americans] (12.5%).”

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a hormone is produced by the placenta that reduces the body’s ability to use insulin effectively. The body can produce insulin. However, the insulin is resistant and not able to do its job, mimicking more like type 2 diabetes.

Risk factors for GDM include, but are not limited to, a family history of diabetes, age, and percentage of body fat prior to pregnancy. All women will be screened once during pregnancy, typically between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Treatment for GDM can include both diet and exercise; however, in some cases, insulin may be required if the levels remain elevated while trying to make interventions. GDM symptoms dissipate after delivery; however, having GDM does increase the risk not only of having GDM during future pregnancies but also increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

MODY Diabetes

MODY stands for maturity-onset diabetes of the young. This is an inherited disease that is caused by a gene mutation. Statistics show that if a person living with MODY has a child, the baby has a 50% chance of also having MODY diabetes. A strong genetic risk factor is involved, and interestingly, it is often misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes (but even more reason to diagnose correctly!)

What is MODY?

The gene mutation impacts the development of cells in the pancreas and the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin. This type of diabetes can present itself in adolescents and often before the age of 25. As mentioned, MODY can frequently be misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes. However, if someone in the family has MODY diabetes, this can often be a helpful tool. Additionally, there are ways to rule out type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which involve the presence of antibodies. A blood test that does not have the antibodies present in type 1 diabetes can rule this diagnosis out. In ruling out type 2 diabetes, it’s also essential to check for insulin resistance. This will help determine the cause of the high blood glucose levels, including MODY or type 2 diabetes.

There are several types of MODY diabetes. Treatments will vary based on the type of MODY one has; for the more common forms of MODY, diabetes management, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are used. In comparison, other types of MODY diabetes may require more invasive treatments. Individualized treatment is key, just as it is for all forms of diabetes. Whether the treatment plan involves insulin or only oral medications, the key is to find the proper treatment for you so that your diabetes is managed.

LADA Diabetes

LADA is the acronym for latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood and is also commonly referred to as type 1.5 diabetes. This form of diabetes is sometimes misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes because LADA is diagnosed during adulthood, along with some insulin resistance that can be present. Additionally, it can even resemble type 1 diabetes due to the presence of autoantibodies.

If LADA is misdiagnosed, this can lead to serious complications and even death in patients. It’s essential to distinguish and correctly diagnose LADA diabetes from other types by considering age, autoantibody testing, and implementing the appropriate treatment plan.

Type 3 Diabetes

While not an officially recognized term and even a little bit controversial, it’s important to mention, as there is more and more research linking this type of diabetes to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are investigating the brain’s inability to respond to insulin in patients with Alzheimer’s. When the brain’s neurons are unable to respond to insulin, simple tasks such as learning and memory are often affected. Studies are looking at the use of a nasal spray of insulin on the symptoms of patients living with Alzheimer’s. However, more research is needed in this area.

A Few Other Types of Diabetes

• Cystic-Fibrosis-related Diabetes
• Diabetes resulting from complications of Cushing’s Syndrome
• Antiretroviral-Associated Diabetes

Diabetes Insipidus is not related to diabetes mellitus. Even though it sounds as though it may be diabetes insipidus, a disorder of salt and water metabolism. Diabetes insipidus occurs when the body is unable to regulate its fluid levels. A hormonal abnormality causes the condition and results in intense thirst along with frequent urination.

Diabetes Management for Different Types

All types of diabetes require blood glucose monitoring. Where some forms of diabetes require insulin immediately to manage blood sugar levels, others may only need insulin further down the line of their diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes, for example, is a progressive disease in which the beta cells can initially produce insulin, but over time, the cells become less effective. If, over time, they overproduce, there comes a point when they are no longer able to produce sufficient insulin, and the use of outside insulin will be required. This doesn’t mean that you’ve ‘failed’; instead, it comes with an understanding of the disease and the treatment management options.

FAQs: Diabetes

Managing diabetes is a lifelong journey that goes far beyond numbers — it’s about creating a balance that supports your health, lifestyle, and emotional well-being. Some days will feel easier than others, and that’s completely normal. Remember, small steps add up, progress matters more than perfection, and asking for help is a strength. With the right tools, support, and mindset, you can feel confident and in control of your diabetes while still enjoying the foods and moments that make life fulfilling.