The inability to produce insulin causes blood glucose levels to rise. Without insulin, cells are unable to remove glucose from the blood and convert it to energy. The body turns to fat reserves for fuel, causing rapid, involuntary weight loss. Sudden unexplained weight loss is one of the first symptoms of type 1, or insulin dependent, diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin to keep blood glucose at normal levels. Insulin is a hormone produced by specialized cells, called islet cells, in the pancreas. Insulin enables cells to absorb glucose circulating in the bloodstream and use it for energy, according to the National Institutes of Health. When insulin levels are too low, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, causing a condition called hyperglycemia. Type 1 diabetes typically develops before 40 years of age and is also called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be a type of autoimmune disease. It is much less common than type 2 diabetes, occurring in approximately 10 percent of those who have diabetes, according to EndocrineWeb. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which people continue to produce insulin but no longer respond to it.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
Rapid, involuntary weight loss is a characteristic symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Other symptoms include excessive thirst and urination, frequent hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, sores that heal slowly, frequent infections, tingling in hands and feet and inflamed gums. All of these symptoms result from excessively high glucose levels.
Why Diabetes Causes Weight Loss
The rapid weight loss associated with type 1 diabetes results from the lack of insulin. Although glucose is available, cells cannot use it and must find another energy source. The body turns to fat reserves for fuel. As the body burns fat, body weight plummets despite accumulating blood glucose levels. The frequent urination required to eliminate the excess glucose pulls water from the cells, causing dehydration and further weight loss. Additionally, the inability of the cells to absorb sugar reduces total calorie intake. Diabetes-associated weight loss occurs suddenly, within several days of the onset of diabetes. Other symptoms may develop either suddenly or gradually.
Other Effects of High Glucose
As the body breaks down stored fat as a replacement energy source, acids called ketones are formed. Ketones build up and at high levels become poisonous, according the NIH. Ketone levels should be tested every two to four hours whenever a person's blood glucose level exceeds 240. Over time, high glucose levels can damage blood vessels throughout the body, leading to kidney failure, vision loss and tingling or numbness in the feet and legs.
Treatment
Type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections. No preventive treatment exists, and no screening test can detect type 1 diabetes before symptoms begin. Frequent blood glucose monitoring avoid complications associated with prolonged high glucose levels.
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