These are the cells that produce insulin, so insulin is no longer made in type 1 diabetes.

It is not known why the body is triggered to attack the insulin-producing cells but there is probably a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger.

Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and adolescents and without insulin treatment it would be fatal. Children typically lose weight before diagnosis as adipose and muscle are broken down rather than being built up due to the lack of insulin. Insulin treatment is necessary in type 1 diabetes because the body cannot produce insulin of its own.

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