Living with type 1 diabetes(T1D) used to mean facing a drastically shortened life span but that story is changing. With better tools, treatments, and support, people living with type 1 diabetes today are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Still, it takes consistency, education, and care.

This article walks you through how T1D affects life expectancy, what risks to watch for, and how to improve your long-term health.

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, your body can’t move sugar (glucose) from your blood into your cells. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can damage your organs over time.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, which often has lifestyle-related causes, type 1 diabetes is not caused by diet or lack of exercise. It typically appears in childhood or adolescence, though adults can develop it too. Once diagnosed, individuals require lifelong insulin therapy to survive.

Because the body produces little or no insulin, people with T1D need insulin therapy for life. This includes:

• Injecting or pumping insulin daily

• Monitoring blood sugar frequently

• Adjusting diet, physical activity, and stress levels

Can type 1 diabetes shorten your life?

In the past, people with T1D often died within a few years of diagnosis. But things have changed. According to 2024 data from BMJ, the number of people with T1D living into their 60s or beyond has tripled since 1990.

That said, the condition can still impact longevity. A large study in Sweden found that women who are diagnosed before age 10 lived 14–18 years less than peers without diabetes. Those diagnosed in adulthood lived about 10 years less.

What complications affect life expectancy in type 1 diabetes?

1. Long-term high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

The main threats to longevity come from long-term complications caused by high blood sugar can damage organs and lead to:

• Heart disease and stroke: People with T1D have double the risk for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular accidents. These are leading causes of death in diabetes.  

• Kidney disease (nephropathy): Damaged kidneys can lead to dialysis or transplant.

• Nerve damage (neuropathy): This affects mobility, digestion, and sexual health.

• Vision loss (retinopathy): High blood sugar harms the blood vessels in your eyes.

• Foot problems: Poor blood flow and nerve damage increase the risk of foot infections and amputations. 

2. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Severe low blood sugar can cause seizures, unconsciousness, or even death. It accounts for up to 10% of deaths in people with T1D.

3. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

DKA happens when the body breaks down fat too quickly due to a lack of insulin. It’s a medical emergency.

4. Mental Health Issues

While not a direct cause of reduced life expectancy, untreated depression, anxiety, or burnout can:

• Lower treatment adherence

• Increase risk of poor blood sugar control

• Lead to dangerous health behaviors

Mental health challenges are common in people with chronic illnesses like T1D, making emotional support and therapy crucial for long-term well-being

How to Increase Life Expectancy with T1D?

1. Keep your blood sugar in range

The biggest predictor of complications is poor glucose control. Your target HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar) should generally be below 7%, unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

Tips:

• Use a CGM if possible

• Stick to your insulin schedule

• Count carbs accurately

• Recognize patterns of highs and lows

2. Avoid smoking: Smoking worsens cardiovascular risks and overall health.

3. Monitor cholesterol and blood pressure: Keep LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in healthy ranges. 

Learn how to do at-home cholesterol tests to help you identify underlying issues early. 

4. Screen for complications

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Regular checkups can catch problems early.

• Eye exams: Every 1–2 years

• Foot checks: At each visit

• Dental care: At least twice a year

• Neuropathy screening: As recommended

5. Prioritize mental health

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But untreated stress or depression can hurt your physical health too.

• Reach out to a therapist or support group

• Practice mindfulness or journaling

• Ask your provider about mental health screenings

Learn more on how to monitor your mental health using smart phones 

6. Use diabetes tech (if available)

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) provide real-time blood sugar readings and alerts for highs and lows. Insulin pumps deliver insulin automatically, with some syncing to CGMs for real-time dose adjustments. Smart pens and diabetes apps help track doses and meals, making it easier to spot patterns.

Key benefits:

• Real-time glucose monitoring

• Automated insulin delivery

• Easy tracking of food and insulin

• Better insights for doctors

These tools reduce the mental load of diabetes care and lower your risk of complications.

7. Follow a balanced diet

There’s no "one-size-fits-all" T1D diet. But balanced meals can make blood sugar easier to manage:

• Eat whole foods (vegetables, fruits, lean protein, whole grains)

• Avoid processed carbs and added sugars

• Space out meals and snacks to reduce glucose spikes

Consider meeting with a registered dietitian who understands diabetes. 

 Related: Is Feeling Sleepy After Eating a Sign of Diabetes?

8. Be physically active

Exercise helps insulin work better and protects your heart. At least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. But it can also cause blood sugar swings. Start slow and learn how your body responds. 

Keep fast-acting carbs nearby, and track your glucose before and after workouts.

Is there a cure for type 1 diabetes?

There is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, but researchers are actively working toward one. Promising areas of research include pancreatic islet transplants, which aim to restore the body’s ability to produce insulin, and artificial pancreas systems that automate blood sugar management. Immune therapies are also being explored to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes by stopping the immune system from attacking insulin-producing cells.

Final Takeaway

So, what contributes to long-term health with type 1 diabetes? A comprehensive approach that includes glycemic control, regular monitoring, and adherence to evidence-based treatment protocols is essential. Incorporating preventive measures—such as routine screenings for complications, consistent insulin management, and attention to cardiovascular and renal health—can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications. Maintaining a structured care plan, supported by ongoing communication with your healthcare team, enables early intervention when needed. Through informed self-management and clinical oversight, individuals with type 1 diabetes can achieve optimal health outcomes and sustain a high quality of life.

Stay ahead of complications and use Ribbon Checkup to track your health and extend your life with type 1 diabetes.

Related resources

• Understanding high glucose in urine: Causes, symptoms, and management

• How to reverse kidney damage from diabetes

• Signs your liver is healing: What to expect
  
  

References

References

Crider, C. (2024, July 10). What Is the Life Expectancy for Type 1 Diabetes? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-1-diabetes-life-expectancy 

Huo, L., Harding, J. L., Peeters, A., Shaw, J. E., & Magliano, D. J. (2016). Life expectancy of type 1 diabetic patients during 1997–2010: a national Australian registry-based cohort study. Diabetologia, 59(6), 1177–1185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-015-3857-4 

Life Expectancy In Diabetes: How You Can Live Longer With Diabetes. (2023). Megawecare. https://www.megawecare.com/good-health-by-yourself/diabetes/diabetes-life-expectancy 

What Is Type 1 Diabetes. (2023, September 6). Type 1 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Complications & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21500-type-1-diabetes