About type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune condition that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks beta cells within the pancreas, which then stop producing insulin. As a result, glucose levels in your blood start to rise, and your body can’t function unless you replace the insulin.
![A glucose monitor used to manage type 1 diabetes](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-is-type-1-diabetes-glucose-monitor.jpg)
![What is type 1 diabetes and it being managed by checking a blood glucose meter](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-is-type-1-diabetes.jpg)
What is type 1 diabetes?
Find out what type 1 diabetes is and how the condition is treated.
![A man drinking a glass of water. One of the signs of type 1 diabetes is to be thirsty a lot.](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/signs-symptoms-type-1-diabetes.jpg)
Signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes
Knowing the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes can save someone’s life. Find out what they are and what to do if you spot them.
![An older man doing a blood glucose finger prick test using a blood glucose meter](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/managing-type-1-diabetes-pete-blood-glucose.jpg)
Causes of type 1 diabetes
There are many myths and misconceptions about the causes of type 1 diabetes. Get the facts from us.
![A patient with type 1 diabetes talking to a diabetes nurse](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/clinic-appointments-type-1-diabetes.jpg)
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are two different types of diabetes, which have different causes, symptoms and approaches to treatment.
![A young guy injecting insulin into his stomach](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/man-injecting-insulin.jpg)
Treating type 1 diabetes
Type 1 is treated by putting insulin into your body and measuring blood glucose. We take you through the different ways of doing this, how they work and what’s available on the NHS.
![A section of pancreas being attacked by immune cells](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pancreas-attacked-by-immune-cells-honeymoon-phase-type-1-diabetes.jpg)
The honeymoon phase in type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes can be easier to manage in the first few months after diagnosis. This is known as the honeymoon period. Find out what happens during this phase.
Have you been recently diagnosed?
Our guides can help provide you with information and support in your journey to living well with type 1 diabetes.
![A man and woman who are parents of a child with type 1 diabetes, sitting on a sofa together reading an information leaflet from JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity and research funder.](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/parents-with-jdrf-leaflets-1.jpg)
Further reading
![JDRF staff and families at a JDRF Type 1 Diabetes Discovery event](https://jdrf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/discovery-events-jdrf.jpg)
More resources
Explore our Type 1 Diabetes Discovery events and browse our resource hub for more type 1 lifestyle information.