Five percent of people with diabetes have Type I, an autoimmune disease. It affects people of all ages and requires treatment with insulin therapy. At The Endocrine Center, with three convenient offices in Houston, Texas, the team of board-certified endocrinology, diabetes, and thyroid specialists provides comprehensive care for people with Type I diabetes. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the Main Campus, Methodist West, or Greater Heights office today.
Type I diabetes is a chronic disease that prevents your pancreas from producing insulin. Insulin is a critical hormone that helps keep your blood sugar levels in check. If you have Type I diabetes, your immune system attacks the beta cells in your pancreas. Over time, this causes your blood sugar levels to spike.
When left untreated, Type I diabetes increases your risk of serious health problems, including a heart attack, stroke, permanent nerve damage, or amputation.
Common symptoms of Type I diabetes include:
Type I diabetes can also affect your mental health. For example, you might experience periods of irritability or other mood changes.
Type I diabetes affects people of all ages, genders, and races. However, it tends to run in families. If your parents or grandparents had Type I diabetes, you’re more likely to experience it as well.
To diagnose Type I diabetes, the team at The Endocrine Center reviews your medical history and conducts a physical exam. They then order a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. An A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past several months. If you receive a reading of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests, it means you have Type I diabetes.
If you’re pregnant, the team might recommend additional blood tests as well, including a random blood sugar test or fasting blood sugar test.
The team at The Endocrine Center treats diabetes with:
If you don’t want to inject insulin throughout the day, the team might recommend an insulin pump. An insulin pump is an implantable device that delivers insulin to your body at routine intervals. Following an exam and review of your medical history, the team can determine if an insulin pump is right for you.
You might also benefit from participating in a clinical trial. The team at The Endocrine Center regularly conducts medical research on Type I diabetes in an effort to advance treatment.
There’s no cure for Type I diabetes, but there are steps you can take to prevent complications. The team at The Endocrine Center recommends participating in a diabetic eye exam, a diabetic foot exam, and a urine test each year. Depending on your age and health history, the team might also recommend a cardiac stress test.
To receive treatment for Type I diabetes, request a consultation at The Endocrine Center. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the nearest office today.