Do you know how type 1 diabetes works? Do you know how the disease starts affecting people and its mechanisms? Chromosomes and 'HLA' complex The truth is, not everyone gets 'T1DM' or type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Usually, it is because of its hereditary nature.
It is rather a family disease.
This is because of the chromosomes.
One of it, the chromosome 6 ('HLA' complex) is responsible for the types 1 diabetes.
Within the chromosome, there are a few 'HLA' complexes.
But only a few are associated with 'T1DM'.
Therefore, medical experts have told us that people with type 1 diabetes usually have these particular 'HLA' complexes involved.
Detailed mechanism of types 1 diabetes So what if you have the 'HLA' complex? It is a problem when it could trigger the type 1 diabetes.
Usually, it is caused by viral infection.
In this case, viral infections will cause the body to produce antibodies (type of protective proteins) that will try to eliminate the virus.
There are other specific cells in the blood that are known as T cells.
These T cells make these antibodies.
The T cells can eliminate all alien or foreign invaders by producing antibodies or acting upon the intruders themselves.
Medical experts have claimed that insulin (produced by beta cells in the pancreas) share some antigens with the virus.
Therefore, the T cells and antibodies destroy our very own insulin because the beta cells get mistaken for the virus.
Maturity of type 1 diabetes The disease is a progressive one that slowly matures and develops.
Destruction of the beta cells by the T cells could take from 6 to 8 years.
But a person suffering from type 1 diabetes might not realize it because he or she might still have some insulin reserve in the pancreas.
The real problem starts when too many beta cells have been annihilated.
At this point, there would be no insulin to be produced by the beta cells to control the glucose level in the body.
How doctors diagnose it Due to its hereditary nature, doctors look at other family members.
Other family members most likely have the same genetic configuration.
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Usually, it is because of its hereditary nature.
It is rather a family disease.
This is because of the chromosomes.
One of it, the chromosome 6 ('HLA' complex) is responsible for the types 1 diabetes.
Within the chromosome, there are a few 'HLA' complexes.
But only a few are associated with 'T1DM'.
Therefore, medical experts have told us that people with type 1 diabetes usually have these particular 'HLA' complexes involved.
Detailed mechanism of types 1 diabetes So what if you have the 'HLA' complex? It is a problem when it could trigger the type 1 diabetes.
Usually, it is caused by viral infection.
In this case, viral infections will cause the body to produce antibodies (type of protective proteins) that will try to eliminate the virus.
There are other specific cells in the blood that are known as T cells.
These T cells make these antibodies.
The T cells can eliminate all alien or foreign invaders by producing antibodies or acting upon the intruders themselves.
Medical experts have claimed that insulin (produced by beta cells in the pancreas) share some antigens with the virus.
Therefore, the T cells and antibodies destroy our very own insulin because the beta cells get mistaken for the virus.
Maturity of type 1 diabetes The disease is a progressive one that slowly matures and develops.
Destruction of the beta cells by the T cells could take from 6 to 8 years.
But a person suffering from type 1 diabetes might not realize it because he or she might still have some insulin reserve in the pancreas.
The real problem starts when too many beta cells have been annihilated.
At this point, there would be no insulin to be produced by the beta cells to control the glucose level in the body.
How doctors diagnose it Due to its hereditary nature, doctors look at other family members.
Other family members most likely have the same genetic configuration.
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