Type 1 Diabetes is: 

• Also commonly referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes as individuals diagnosed with the disease will require insulin therapy 

• The most common type of diabetes in children and young adults 

• Caused by an autoimmune reaction that harms pancreatic cells and stops the body’s ability to make insulin - notably the complete lack of insulin creation 

• Mostly accepted to be a genetic defect, though some environmental circumstances have been associated with increased risk factors 

• Usually first diagnosed after rapid onset of hallmark symptoms such as increased thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), incontinence (enuresis), fatigue, polyphagia (excessive eating or hunger), dehydration, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The initial symptoms typically present more mildly in adults than children 

• A risk factor for other autoimmune disorders, especially in children 

Type 2 Diabetes is: 

• The most common type of diabetes in the world with an estimate of over 500 million people that have been diagnosed with the disease. 

• Caused by an increased need for insulin met with decreased insulin production 

• Strongly associated with obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol 

• More common in males rather than females although females often have more serious complications and a greater risk of death.

• Does not lead to diabetic ketoacidosis 

• Usually diagnosed after a gradual onset of symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unintended weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores, frequent infections, and areas of darkened skin usually in the armpits and neck. 

• Usually treated with diet, exercise, and oral medications, and unlike Type 1, does not always require insulin therapy 

  

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Gestational Diabetes is: 

• Currently the most common complication of pregnancy

• Associated with risk factors such as advanced age or geriatric (over 35) pregnancies, overweight/obesity, familial history of gestational diabetes, inactive lifestyle, polycystic ovarian syndrome 

• Generally diagnosed after performing an oral glucose tolerance test 

• Usually diet controlled but can necessitate insulin therapy

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Diabetes is diagnosed when:

• ​A blood test called Hemoglobin A1C or HbA1C tells you your average blood sugar level over the past 3 months is greater 6.5%. In conjunction with HbA1c greater than 6.5%, individuals will have one of the following: 

A random glucose level greater than 200 mg/dL 

OR

Glucose more than 200 mg/dL after an oral glucose tolerance test 

OR

Fasting glucose more than 126 mg/dL 

• An increased HbA1c (greater than 6.5%) is present again 2 weeks after the initial test to rule out false results 

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References

Kharroubi, A. T., & Darwish, H. M. (2015). Diabetes mellitus: The epidemic of the century. World journal of diabetes, 6(6), 850–867. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i6.850 

McIntyre HD, Catalano P, Zhang C, Desoye G, Mathiesen ER, Damm P. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019 Jul 11;5(1):47. doi: 10.1038/s41572-019-0098-8. PMID: 31296866.