The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is in the origin: in type 1 diabetes the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, so the body stops producing it; in type 2 diabetes the pancreas does produce insulin, but the body does not use it well (insulin resistance). That difference in cause explains almost everything else: who it affects, how it appears and how each one is treated.
Below you will see, clearly and compared, what distinguishes type 1 and type 2 diabetes in terms of causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, as well as answering the most common questions about which is more serious or whether one can become the other. And since in both types daily glucose control is key, we will also see how to take care of the sensor with accessories such as the Adhesive patches for the glucose sensor. This is divulgative information: the diagnosis and treatment always correspond to your medical team.
What is diabetes and why are there several types?
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. The key is insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that acts like a key: it opens the cells so that glucose can enter and be used as energy. If that key does not exist or does not work, glucose stays in the blood instead of entering the cells.
The two most common types differ precisely in what happens to that "key":
- Type 1 diabetes: The body does not manufacture the key. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. It accounts for between 5 and 10% of cases of diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes: The key exists but does not open well. The pancreas produces insulin, but the body has become resistant to it and, over time, may produce less. This is the most common form, between 90 and 95% of all cases.
Differences in the causes
The cause is the fundamental difference between the two types, and almost all the others derive from it.
Causes of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease: the immune system destroys the beta cells of the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. Its triggers are not known exactly, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors, such as certain viral infections, play a role. It is not inherited directly, but the predisposition is: the risk of developing it when one of the parents has it is around 5%. It usually appears in childhood or adolescence, although it can also manifest itself in adulthood.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is due to insulin resistance: the body produces the hormone but does not use it effectively, and over time the pancreas is not enough. Here the weight of genetics and lifestyle is much greater: the hereditary risk is estimated at around 40% when a parent suffers from it, and factors such as overweight, sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet clearly increase the chances of developing it.
Differences in symptoms
Although the symptoms of both types can seem similar (more thirst, more urge to urinate, fatigue, unexplained weight loss or blurred vision), the way they appear is very different and it is one of the signs that help to differentiate them:
- Type 1 diabetes: The symptoms develop quickly, in weeks, and are usually intense. That's why they are often detected abruptly.
- Type 2 diabetes: It progresses slowly, over many years. Many people do not have obvious symptoms for a long time and discover the disease during a routine analysis or when some complication already appears.
How they are diagnosed
The diagnosis of both types is based on the same blood tests, which measure blood glucose levels:
- Fasting blood sugar: A value equal to or greater than 126 mg/dL on two occasions indicates diabetes (normal values in an adult fasting are between 70 and 100 mg/dL).
- Glucose tolerance test: Measure the glucose after taking a sugary solution.
- Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c): Reflects the average glucose level of the last three months; a value equal to or higher than 6.5% indicates diabetes.
To reliably distinguish the type, the doctor can add antibody tests (present in type 1) or peptide C tests, which indicate how much insulin the pancreas produces.
Differences in treatment
The treatment is another great difference and directly derives from the cause:
- Type 1 diabetes: Requires lifelong insulin, administered with a pen, syringe or insulin pump, because the body does not produce it. It is incurable, but good control allows a normal life.
- Type 2 diabetes: The first step is changes in lifestyle (balanced diet, exercise and weight loss). If that is not enough, oral drugs are added and, in some cases, insulin.
In both cases, monitoring blood sugar regularly is fundamental to adjusting the treatment. Those who use a glucose sensor usually resort to Patches to protect the diabetes sensor, which prevent it from detaching during the days of use and help maintain control without interruptions.
Comparative table: type 1 diabetes vs type 2 diabetes
| characteristic | Type 1 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| origin | Autoimmune | Insulin resistance |
| frequency | 5-10% of the cases | 90-95% of the cases |
| Age of appearance | Childhood or adolescence | Adulthood (increasingly in young people) |
| Insulin production | Nil | Insufficient or ineffective |
| Appearance of symptoms | Fast (weeks) | Slow (years) |
| Risk factors | Genetic and environmental | Lifestyle, obesity, age, genetics |
| treatment | Lifetime insulin | Diet, exercise, drugs, sometimes insulin |
| Can it be prevented? | no | In many cases, yes |
Can each type of diabetes be prevented?
Here is an important difference. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, because it depends on an autoimmune reaction that cannot be prevented by us. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, can be prevented or delayed in many cases, by maintaining a healthy weight, a balanced diet and regular physical activity. That is why prevention campaigns focus on type 2.
Which is more serious, type 1 or type 2?
None is "more serious" by definition: both are serious chronic diseases that, if not controlled properly, can cause the same long-term complications (cardiovascular, renal, ocular and nervous). Type 1 diabetes requires stricter and immediate control from the diagnosis because it depends on external insulin, while type 2 can go unnoticed for years and cause silent damage. What determines it is not the type, but the degree of glucose control.
Are there other types of diabetes?
Yes. In addition to type 1 and type 2, there are other less known forms, such as gestational diabetes (which occurs during pregnancy) or the so-called type 1.5 or LADA, an autoimmune form that appears slowly in adults and is sometimes confused with type 2. In any case, it will be your doctor who will accurately determine what type it is by means of the appropriate tests.
Take care of your diabetes with Glucody
Understanding the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the first step to better living with the disease, but daily glucose control is what makes the difference in the long term, regardless of your type. At Glucody we are a brand specialized in diabetes and we develop accessories designed for the daily life of those who live with it, from patches and bracelets that keep the sensor in place to solutions to act quickly in case of a drop in blood sugar. Our goal is to make managing your diabetes as comfortable and reliable as possible.
