What is the primary cause of type 1 diabetes?

The primary cause of type 1 diabetes relates to genetic predisposition, which involves an autoimmune response where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction leads to an inability to produce insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. While high blood sugar is a symptom and consequence of the disease, it is not the underlying cause. Instead, the root of type 1 diabetes lies in the immune system's dysfunction and genetic factors, which trigger the destruction of beta cells.

Understanding that genetic predisposition plays a critical role helps clarify why individuals may develop type 1 diabetes without lifestyle factors such as obesity or low blood sugar playing a direct causative role. The association with obesity or low blood sugar is more relevant to other forms of diabetes or metabolic conditions, not the acute autoimmune condition of type 1 diabetes.