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Types of Diabetes

Having diabetes means your body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by a gland near your stomach called the pancreas.

Your body changes the food you eat into a sugar called glucose. Glucose is the fuel your body needs for all your activities, whether it’s eating, reading, walking or running. Your body uses insulin to carry glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. When you have diabetes, glucose isn't carried properly to your cells so too much stays in your bloodstream. This is called hyperglycaemia or high blood glucose. Left untreated, high blood glucose can cause a lot of damage to your body.

There are four different types of diabetes:

  • Prediabetes, also known as borderline diabetes
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gestational diabetes

