AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/diab-type1-autoimmune

What happens in the body to cause type 1 diabetes?

The immune system attacks the insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas.

Start playing free

  1. The immune system attacks insulin-making cells ✔
  2. The pancreas makes too much insulin
  3. The liver stops storing sugar

Why: Type 1 is an autoimmune disease. The immune system mistakes the pancreas's beta cells for invaders and destroys them, so the body makes little or no insulin. Scientists still don't know what triggers it.

Huh, didn't know that: Insulin is the hormone that helps blood sugar move into your cells so it can be used for energy.

The dad joke
Why did the picture go to jail? Because it was framed.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: The immune system attacks insulin-making cells. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease. The immune system mistakes the pancreas's beta cells for invaders and destroys them, so the body makes little or no insulin. Scientists still don't know what triggers it.

  1. ADA, Understanding Type 1 Diabetes diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1
    your immune system mistakenly treats the beta cells in your pancreas that create insulin as foreign invaders and destroys them
    Checked 2026-10-08.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Health BasicsCan an adult be newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?Health BasicsFor an adult with diabetes who takes insulin, how can drinking alcohol affect blood sugar?Health BasicsIf someone with type 2 diabetes starts insulin, does that mean they failed?

That's stuff everyone should know.