Many of the readers of this site will already be familiar with Type 1 Diabetes but here in Australia it’s National Diabetes Week, and it’s time for a Public Service Announcement.
Diabetes Australia’s 2019 campaign is It’s About Time, about knowing the four “T” early signs of diabetes:
- Tired
- Thirsty
- Thinner
- Toilet
These are all reminders of warning signs that may point to Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). If you have these see your doctor and specifically ask to be tested for Type 1 Diabetes.
And if you think you’ve noticed these symptoms in a friend or co-worker, chat to them and see if they’re OK. It’s easy for these things to creep up on you without you noticing.
Type 1 Diabetes
T1D (an auto-immune condition where the pancreas becomes unable to produce the essential hormone insulin) can develop at any age. For me it happened at age 14. For some it happens when a baby, and for some it happens when they’re over 100!
Don’t assume (or let a doctor assume, as unfortunately happens too often) that if you’re an adult that it’s Type 2 Diabetes (which needs different treatment).
You can’t ignore it
T1D requires urgent medical intervention, usually including the administration of insulin. If you don’t get it you will probably end up in hospital (if you don’t die before then!). If you have T1D you cannot ignore it!
Almost 37 years after my own diagnosis I’m here to tell you that it shouldn’t stop you living life (especially here in Australia where we have access to medical treatment) but you can’t ignore it.
Please check out itsabouttime.org.au now.