November 2026
Most people are familiar with type 2 diabetes — it’s the type that comes to mind when most people hear the word “diabetes,” and for good reason. Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of cases of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S., with roughly 27.1 million adults currently living with a diagnosis. By comparison, only about 2.1 million adults have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
But here’s what many people don’t know: type 1 diabetes is on the rise with more than half of all new cases being diagnosed in adults. That means that type 1 diabetes isn’t just a childhood condition anymore, and every adult should know the signs.
Can adults get type 1 diabetes?
People used to call type 1 diabetes juvenile diabetes. That’s because many of the people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were, in fact, children. But recent research shows that more than 60% of people who receive a type 1 diabetes diagnosis are at least 20 years old — and 37%are over the age of 30.
Type 1 diabetes was also once called insulin-dependent diabetes, because people with type 1 traditionally required insulin therapy. But that name was also misleading because people with type 2 diabetes sometimes need insulin too, and it turns out, not all adults with type 1 diabetes need insulin when they are first diagnosed.
How does type 1 diabetes differ from type 2 diabetes?
While both types of diabetes prevent the body from processing glucose properly, the main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the cause.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks — and destroys — the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin (the key hormone that helps your body absorb glucose).
- Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder: The pancreas still produces insulin — often plenty of it, at least early on — but your cells no longer respond to it effectively.
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are mostly the same as type 2 diabetes, including:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive hunger, even though you’re eating more than enough
- Blurry vision
- Extreme fatigue
- Slow healing of bruises and cuts
But people with type 1 diabetes might also experience:
- Weight loss, despite eating more than usual
- GI distress, including stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Bedwetting (in children)
- Rapid onset of symptoms (this doesn’t happen to everyone with type 1, but when it does, it’s a telltale sign)
Diabetic ketoacidosis: A serious warning sign
One of the most serious — and sometimes first — signs of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes in adults is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA occurs when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to fuel its cells, so it begins breaking down fat for energy instead. This process creates byproducts called ketones. In small amounts, ketones are harmless. But when they accumulate faster than the body can clear them, they turn the blood acidic, making DKA a medical emergency.
Early on, someone developing DKA tends to feel very thirsty and urinate more than usual. More severe symptoms include:
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Deep, fast breathing
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches or stiffness
- Flushed face
- GI problems, including stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Dry mouth and skin
DKA is a medical emergency. If you notice these symptoms — especially fruity breath or trouble breathing — go to the ER or call 911 right away.
How is type 1 diabetes diagnosed?
You get tested for type 1 diabetes in stages. First, your doctor will run one or more blood tests to see if you have diabetes. These diabetes screening tests include:
- Random blood glucose test
- Fasting blood glucose test
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) blood test
- Glucose challenge test
- Glucose tolerance test
These tests can tell you if you have diabetes (either type 1 or type 2) —but can’t tell you which one you have. Your doctor may request follow-up testing to see if you have type 1 diabetes if you:
- Are a younger adult
- Aren’t overweight
- Experienced rapid onset of symptoms
- Have an autoimmune condition
- Have a family history of type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune conditions
- Were diagnosed with DKA
Follow-up bloodwork to check for type 1 diabetes typically includes looking at:
- Autoantibodies — proteins the immune system produces when it’s attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Their presence signals an autoimmune process, which suggests type 1.
- C-peptide — a substance the pancreas releases along with insulin. Measuring it shows how much insulin your body is making on its own; a low level suggests type 1.
Your local pharmacist is a trusted resource for diabetes questions —whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are managing an existing condition, or simply want to understand your risk. From medication counseling to diabetes supplies, your local independent pharmacy is here to help.
