What Are the Different Types of Diabetes?

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Type 1 and 2 diabetes are common conditions, but other types of diabetes are less known. Despite different causes, the results are the same: your body cannot produce enough or properly use insulin to keep blood sugar levels from getting too high or too low. Uncontrolled blood sugar can cause severe health problems. However, regardless of the type you have, a healthcare provider can create a treatment plan to help keep your diabetes under control.

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1. Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are high but not high enough for a healthcare provider to diagnose you with type 2 diabetes. With prediabetes, the cells in your body do not respond well to insulin. It is a warning sign that you have an increased risk of developing diabetes, stroke, or heart disease.

Prediabetes is often asymptomatic and is usually detected through a fasting blood glucose test, hemoglobin AC1 test, or an oral glucose tolerance test.

Risk factors for developing prediabetes include excess weight, a low-activity lifestyle, having high blood pressure, and a family history of diabetes.

2. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This results in little to no insulin available to transport sugar into the cells, and blood sugar becomes dangerously high.

People with type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy, either through injections or an insulin pump, for the rest of their lives to help keep their blood sugar regulated. Careful monitoring of blood glucose, diet, and physical activity are also necessary to prevent complications from blood sugar levels that are too high or too low. Many factors can cause blood sugar to surge, such as the time of day, skipping meals, or hormonal changes.

Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age, but most people are diagnosed as children, teens, or young adults. The exact cause is unknown, but it is not related to lifestyle factors as with type 2 diabetes. 

3. Type 2 Diabetes

Unlike type 1 diabetes, where the body produces little or no insulin, type 2 diabetes causes the body to become resistant to insulin, meaning the body can't use insulin properly. Genetics can play a role in your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but lifestyle factors like an inactive lifestyle and diet have a significant impact.

4. Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy puts extra demands on the body. For some people, gestational diabetes develops when their bodies can’t produce enough insulin during this time. A key factor in diagnosis is that this condition occurs in someone who is pregnant but does not have diabetes.

It usually develops around the 24th week of pregnancy and resolves after childbirth. However, people with a history of gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

5. Steroid-Induced Diabetes

Healthcare providers prescribe glucocorticoids (steroids) for various health issues, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), autoimmune diseases (such as lupus), and other conditions where treatment reduces the body’s immune response.

Steroid-induced diabetes can be a side effect of regular steroid use. Experts believe that steroids may damage glucose metabolism by impairing sensitivity to insulin or the ability to release insulin. The main risk factors for developing steroid-induced diabetes are dosage and duration of use, in addition to the traditional risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

6. Monogenic Diabetes

Monogenic diabetes is a rare type caused by a change in a single gene. People with monogenic forms sometimes present with symptoms that are different from those with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Others may not have any symptoms; it depends on which gene is affected.

Gene changes may impact how the pancreas develops in utero, how well it makes usable insulin, or how it destroys pancreatic cells.

There are two primary forms of monogenic diabetes:

  • Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) develops in young children or teens. With some forms of MODY, blood glucose is slightly elevated at levels that can’t damage organs, so it often doesn’t need treatment.
  • Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) develops in babies between six months and 1 year, and they can’t produce enough insulin. For some babies with NDM, diabetes goes away during childhood but could come back later in life.

7. Secondary Diabetes: Type 3c

Secondary diabetes (Type 3c) is caused by damage to the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, excessive iron intake, or surgeries that damage the pancreas and cause impaired insulin production.

Type 3c can also interfere with hormones and enzyme production essential for digestion. Treatment includes managing blood sugar with insulin therapy and digestive problems with enzyme replacement. 

8. Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)

LADA, or "type 1.5 diabetes," has characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 but is different in progression and onset. In type 1 and LADA, the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

However, LADA develops more gradually, and onset usually happens in adulthood. In addition, a person with LADA may not require insulin treatment at diagnosis, which is similar to type 2 diabetes. Over time, this may change as the pancreas loses its ability to make enough insulin.

9. Wolfram Syndrome

Wolfram syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple organ systems. The first symptom to appear is diabetes mellitus, usually diagnosed around age six, and optic atrophy (progressive vision loss) around age 11.

Mutations in the WFS1 gene cause this condition; the WFS1 gene gives instructions to produce a protein called wolframin, which helps regulate the amount of calcium in cells. Without enough wolframin, the cells trigger their own cell death. When this happens in the pancreas, diabetes occurs.

Loss of cells on the optic nerve eventually results in vision loss. Treatment includes managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

10. Alström Syndrome

Alström syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by ALMS1 gene mutations and affects multiple organs and systems. In addition to type 2 diabetes, vision and hearing loss, heart disease, skin problems, and kidney dysfunction are common with Alström syndrome.

The ALMS1 gene provides instructions for making a protein, but its function is unknown. Researchers believe that the gene may impact how the pancreas regulates insulin.

How Common in Diabetes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 38.4 million Americans have some form of diabetes. In addition:

  • Approximately 1 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes every year.
  • An estimated 96 million people are living with prediabetes.
  • Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90-95% of cases and is closely linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, diet, and physical activity.
  • Type 1 diabetes is less common but still has a significant impact as a chronic health condition that usually appears in childhood or early adulthood.

Symptoms of Unmanaged Diabetes

The body struggles to function properly when blood sugar levels are consistently uncontrolled. Symptoms of unmanaged diabetes can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions and include the following:  

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination: Too much sugar in the blood causes the kidneys to create extra fluid.  
  • Extreme fatigue: Your body cannot effectively use glucose for energy, which results in persistent tiredness.  
  • Unintended weight loss: When cells are starved of energy, the body uses fat and muscle for fuel.  
  • Blurred vision: High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, causing vision problems.  
  • Slow-healing wounds and frequent infections: Poor circulation and a weakened immune system delay healing. 
  • Tingling or numbness in extremities: Prolonged high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage or neuropathy.

Potential Complications

Unmanaged diabetes can lead to serious health complications. Persistently high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the likelihood of developing the following conditions:

  • Cardiovascular disease: The risk for heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure rises.
  • Kidney damage: This can progress to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant. 
  • Eye complications: Diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss or blindness. 
  • Neuropathy: This increases the risk of infections and amputations. 

Can You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is primarily preventable through lifestyle changes that support overall health and stabilize blood sugar levels. These include:

  • Eating a balanced diet that includes whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
  • Limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive carbohydrates to help regulate glucose levels.
  • Doing regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, or strength training, to improve insulin sensitivity and help manage weight gain (as obesity is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes).
  • Quitting smoking and managing stress can further reduce the risk.

Summary

Many people are familiar with types 1 and 2 diabetes, but there are lesser-known types. All involve the pancreas producing insufficient insulin to regulate blood sugar. Symptoms of unmanaged diabetes include frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow wound healing. Untreated diabetes can lead to severe complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and blindness. Prevent type 2 diabetes with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and reduced processed foods. Contact a healthcare provider right away if you notice symptoms.

14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Carisa D. Brewster

By Carisa Brewster
Brewster is a journalist with over 20 years of writing experience specializing in science and healthcare content.