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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.
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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.
