Last Updated on October 18, 2025 by Analgesia team
T1DM Medical Abbreviation
T1DM is the medical abbreviation for type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes, also known as autoimmune diabetes mellitus (T1DM), is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to a chronic deficiency of insulin and hyperglycemia.
Early signs of type 1 diabetes (T1DM)
Sudden onset: Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually appear quickly—often within days or weeks. The rapid onset is caused by the body’s immune system attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This sudden change can cause noticeable shifts in energy, appetite, and mood.
Weight loss or poor weight gain: Despite eating normally—or even more than usual—people with type 1 diabetes may lose weight. This happens because the body can’t use glucose for energy and instead breaks down fat and muscle. In children, poor weight gain or unexpected weight loss is a key warning sign.
Increased thirst: Excess sugar in the blood draws water from body tissues, leading to dehydration. This triggers a persistent thirst that doesn’t go away, even after drinking large amounts of water. It’s one of the hallmark symptoms of high blood glucose levels.
Frequent urination: The kidneys work overtime to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream, producing more urine than usual. This leads to frequent trips to the toilet, especially at night. It’s often one of the first symptoms noticed by parents in children.
Bedwetting: Children who were previously dry at night may start wetting the bed again. This happens because of the increased urine production and inability to hold it overnight. When accompanied by thirst and fatigue, it’s a strong indicator of developing type 1 diabetes.
Constant fatigue: Without enough insulin, the body’s cells can’t absorb glucose for energy. As a result, people with T1DM often feel drained, weak, or unusually tired even after resting. This exhaustion can affect concentration, school performance, or physical activity.
People with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy for the rest of their lives. There are several types of insulin, including short-acting, rapid-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, and ultra-long-acting.
Here are some other types of diabetes that are related to the immune system:
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)
Similar to type 1 diabetes, LADA occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin due to an autoimmune process. However, the process in LADA happens more slowly, so people with LADA often don’t need insulin right away.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disease, but it can be associated with some features of an inflammatory response. These features include long-term inflammation, changes in immune cells, and unusual antibody activity.
There is no known prevention for most autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes require daily management with insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring