Our resource hub is home to a wealth of articles, stories and videos about managing and living with type 1 diabetes.
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Our researchers are working on different ways to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes - from growing insulin-producing beta cells in labs to hacking the immune system.
Learn about the technologies that can deliver insulin automatically when needed. And discover the next generation of insulins that are currently being developed.
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The announcement is the biggest treatment breakthrough for type 1 diabetes since the discovery of insulin.
This World Diabetes Day, we’re inviting you to celebrate by wearing your most joyful, whimsical and downright wonderful outfits.
We provide a wealth of information and free resources to help you support and empower your patients or students.
Take our free course for schools to learn more about supporting pupils with type 1 diabetes in educational settings.
JDRF has now rebranded to Breakthrough T1D. Our name has changed, our mission has not.
Home > Knowledge & support > About type 1 diabetes > Causes of type 1 diabetes
More than 50 genes have been identified that can influence a person’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes, but genes are only part of the cause. Scientists are also investigating the environmental factors that may play a role.
What is known is that:
While 90 per cent of people who develop type 1 diabetes have no family connection with the condition, genetic factors can pre-dispose people to developing type 1 diabetes.
Certain genes are associated with type 1 diabetes risk. However, having these genes alone is not enough to cause someone to develop type 1 diabetes. It is thought that an additional environmental trigger causes type 1 diabetes to develop.
Type 1 develops when your immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas and this doesn’t happen overnight. It’s very rare for anyone under six-months-old to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes does not develop because of your lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Diet and activity levels have nothing to do with whether you develop type 1 diabetes or not.
Our guides can help provide you with information and support in your journey to living well with type 1 diabetes.
Find out more about the main signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which include tiredness, thirst, going to the toilet more frequently and weight loss.
All types of diabetes cause blood glucose levels to be higher than normal. Find out about the key differences between the major types.
Find out why people who have one autoimmune condition are at greater risk of developing other types of autoimmune disease.
Find out how we fund researchers all over the world to look into the root causes of type 1 diabetes so that one day we’re able to stop the condition before it does any damage.
