I vividly recall some of the symptoms I experienced in the weeks leading up to my diagnosis(Image: (Image: EXPRESS))

I was tired and thirsty all the time then I was diagnosed with a life-changing illness

by · Wales Online

Type 1 diabetes, not to be mistaken for the more prevalent type 2, is an autoimmune condition that arises when the body's immune system targets the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in a complete lack of insulin production.

At present, the exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown, though individuals with a family history may face a marginally increased risk. While the condition is more frequently diagnosed in children than adults, it can occur at any age, with diagnoses most likely to occur before the age of 40.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the tender age of nine, and I vividly recall some of the symptoms I experienced in the weeks leading up to my diagnosis. Unlike other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to manifest rapidly and can escalate until the individual becomes seriously ill, reports the Express. The primary symptoms of type 1 diabetes encompass fatigue, weight loss, irritability, blurred vision, and heightened thirst and hunger.

How my type 1 diabetes was diagnosed

As a child, I was naturally lean, so my weight loss wasn't immediately noticeable until I was diagnosed and hospitalised. Being an energetic child who attended gymnastics classes and was constantly active in the garden, feeling tired and yawning was also commonplace.

However, in retrospect, the one symptom that was particularly noticeable was the frequency of my urination and the amount of water I was consuming.

Every evening, I would find glasses scattered around the kitchen, remnants of my nocturnal thirst. Additionally, I found myself frequently waking up during the night to use the toilet.

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, aids in utilising sugar for energy. However, when your pancreas fails to produce insulin, the sugar accumulates in the bloodstream.

As the sugar has nowhere else to go, it falls upon the kidneys to absorb and filter out the excess sugar, some of which is expelled from the body through urine. This process also draws fluids from your body's tissues, resulting in persistent thirst.

After several weeks of these escalating symptoms, it became evident that something was amiss with my health. I began to feel unwell, and a quick perusal of a medical encyclopaedia led us to suspect that I might have type 1 diabetes.

A visit to the GP and a random blood sugar test confirmed our worst fears - I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and would need to administer insulin injections for the rest of my life.

Living with type 1 diabetes

I inject insulin approximately 10 times daily and have become adept at recognising the signs of low and high blood sugar levels(Image: (Image: Getty))

Typically, a person without diabetes will have a blood sugar reading between 4 and 6 mmol/L, which should not exceed 8 mmol/L after meals.

Upon diagnosis, my blood glucose level was recorded at 27 mmol/L, a condition known as hyperglycemia or simply 'high blood sugar'.

The subsequent days were a whirlwind. I was admitted to my local hospital for a few days for tests and monitoring, and a medication and diet plan was established.

Learning to administer my own insulin injections, conduct blood tests, change needles and replace insulin cartridges was a daunting task, but I was resolute in managing the condition independently from the outset, rather than depending on my family.

Initially, I grappled with hypoglycaemia, also referred to as 'hypos' or 'low blood sugar'. Symptoms can range from hunger pangs, trembling hands, perspiration, confusion, and in severe instances, loss of consciousness.

Low blood sugar levels can be triggered by excessive insulin intake, over-exercising, and skipping meals. As a child who was passionate about sports and physical activity, striking a balance was challenging, so I had planned snacks throughout the day to prevent my blood sugar levels from plummeting.

Nearly two decades later, managing the condition has become significantly easier. The NHS's introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been transformative, leading to a stabilisation of my blood sugar control.

The introduction of the continuous glucose monitor has been game-changing(Image: (Image: Getty))

This compact device adheres to the skin and continuously measures blood sugar levels day and night, enabling me to identify patterns. I inject insulin approximately 10 times daily and have become adept at recognising the signs of low and high blood sugar levels.

What are the most noticeable symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

The four primary symptoms of type 1 diabetes are known as the '4Ts'. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, your child or anyone else, seek immediate medical attention from a GP:

  1. Toilet – urinating more often, especially at night.
  2. Thirsty – constant thirst that feels unquenchable.
  3. Tired – feeling fatigued and having no energy.
  4. Thinner – losing weight without trying or being thinner than usual.

What are the long-term effects of type 1 diabetes?

Maintaining consistently high blood sugar can heighten the risk of developing long-term complications and other health issues. These complications include:

  • Heart disease
  • Vision problems
  • Nerve damage
  • Kidney problems
  • Circulation problems
  • Foot problems
  • Gum disease