Type 1 Diabetes MechanismsType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) refers to the type of diabetes where little or no insulin is made by the pancreas. Complete absence of insulin allows glucose to build up in the bloodstream. T1DM is an autoimmune disease. The immune system targets and destroys the beta cells secreted by the pancreas. Since insulin is not around to move glucose out of the blood and into the cells, excess sugar builds up, causing hyperglycemia, and eventually death, if left untreated.
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