Common autoimmune
type 1 diabetes myths
Myth: I live a healthy lifestyle and I’m not overweight so I can’t get autoimmune T1D.
- A common misconception is that autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by poor diet or lack of exercise1,2
- In fact, autoimmune T1D is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental triggers, and is not directly linked to diet or lifestyle3,4
Myth: I can halt or reverse autoimmune T1D with diet and exercise
- While healthy dietary choices and exercise are important for everyone, including people with autoimmune T1D, these factors cannot halt or reverse the autoimmune processes1,2
- In autoimmune T1D, damage to the insulin-producing cells is progressive and irreversible, permanently hindering insulin production5
Myth: Only children develop autoimmune T1D
Traditionally, autoimmune T1D was thought to only affect children.6,7 However, it is now widely recognised that adults get it too, with up to 62% of new T1D cases occurring in adults.7
Myth: I would know if I had autoimmune T1D
While you may know the signs to look out for, autoimmune T1D can develop gradually and silently, so you could have the condition without knowing.8
Myth: Insulin is a cure for autoimmune T1D
While insulin is vital and life-saving for people with autoimmune T1D who have symptoms, there is currently no cure.9 Think of it like this: insulin helps to manage the problem, but it does not fix the cause.9 Autoimmune T1D is a lifelong journey that requires continual management,10 but detecting it early can give you time to prepare and a smoother transition to insulin treatment.11–14
References
- Breakthrough T1D. Fact-checking myths and misconceptions about type 1 diabetes. Available at: https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/fact-checking-myths-and-misconceptions-about-type-1-diabetes/. Accessed April 2025.
- Breakthrough T1D. Type 1 diabetes vs. type 2 diabetes. Available at: https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/type-1-diabetes-vs-type-2-diabetes/. Accessed April 2025.
- Insel RA, Dunne JL, Atkinson MA, et al. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(10):1964-1974.
- Weires MB, Tausch B, Haug PJ, et al. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2007;115(10):634-640.
- Edelman S. J Fam Pract. 2023;72(Suppl 6):S19-S24.
- DiMeglio LA, Evans-Molina C, Oram RA. Lancet. 2018;391(10138):2449-2462.
- Gregory GA, Robinson TIG, Linklater SE, et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2022;10(10):741-760.
- Sims EK, Besser REJ, Dayan C, et al. Diabetes. 2022;71(4):610-623.
- Ziegler AG, Danne T, Daniel C, et al. Med. 2021;2(10):1120-1137.
- Chiang JL, Kirkman MS, Laffel LM, et al. Diabetes Care. 2014;37(7):2034-2054.
- Besser REJ, Ng SM, Gregory JW, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2022;107(9):790-795.
- Phillip M, Achenbach P, Addala A, et al. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(8):1276-1298.
- Narendran P. Diabetologia. 2019;62(1):24-27.
- Lundgren M, Jonsdottir B, Elding Larsson H. Diabetologia. 2019;62(1):53-57.