Type 1 Diabetes
Our type 1 diabetes specialists in New York are here for you. Our team of endocrine doctors near you are dedicated to supporting your success and ensuring that you regain your metabolic health and overall wellness.
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. This condition results in impaired glucose metabolism and elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is confirmed through clinical assessment and laboratory evaluations, which include fasting plasma glucose, random plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and the presence of autoantibodies such as glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies.
What Are the Causes of Type 1 Diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result of the destruction of beta cells, the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, leading to a lack of insulin in the body.
The common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Increased thirst (polydipsia)
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue and weakness
Blurred vision
Increased hunger (polyphagia)
Nausea, vomiting and belly pain in extreme cases
Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed through a blood test that measures the levels of glucose and/or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Additional tests, such as autoantibody screening, are typically performed to confirm the autoimmune nature of the condition.
What Are the Treatments and Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes?
The primary treatment for type 1 diabetes involves insulin therapy, which is administered through daily injections, inhaled insulin or an insulin pump.
Careful monitoring of blood glucose levels (usually with a continuous glucose monitor), diet, and physical activity is also crucial for managing type 1 diabetes.
How Can Well by Messer Help You with Type 1 Diabetes?
At Well by Messer, our team takes a multidisciplinary approach to manage our patients with type 1 diabetes. Treating type 1 diabetes requires medication initiation (with insulin) but also lifestyle changes (including diet and exercise). Together with the patient, our physicians develop a plan including the insulin regimen as well as the monitoring of blood sugars, usually done with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Our physicians regularly monitor patients’ blood sugars through the CGM portal and make necessary adjustments to the insulin regimen. Our dietician and personal trainer also meet with patients to discuss lifestyle modification. Diet and exercise can cause fluctuations in blood sugar so this is a vital part of the treatment plan.
Meet the Well by Messer (WBM) Team
Under the leadership of top endocrinologist in New York, Dr. Caroline Messer, our caring and talented team of board-certified endocrinologists, psychologists, nutritionists, and personal trainers will be dedicated to supporting your success and regaining your metabolic health at our metabolic centers in Manhattan.
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