Learn about diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition where your body has difficulty converting glucose (sugar) into energy. This leads to high levels of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia). Your blood glucose levels are normally controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin normally converts glucose into energy. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas can’t produce insulin, or your body is resistant to it.

Types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

• Occurs when your own immune system breaks down the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

Learn more about Type 1 diabetes on the Australian Government HealthDirect website

Type 2 diabetes

• Occurs when your body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin.
• Also occurs if you lose the ability to produce enough insulin in the pancreas.
• This causes glucose to stay in the blood, leading to a higher-than-normal glucose level.

Learn more about Type 2 diabetes on the Australian Government HealthDirect website

Gestational diabetes

• Occurs when a woman experiences high blood glucose levels during pregnancy.
• It usually goes away after the baby is born.
• Causes a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Pre-diabetes

• Where blood glucose levels are higher than usual, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.

Diabetes in children

There are many different types of diabetes conditions seen in children, including:

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Cystic fibrosis related diabetes
• Monogenic diabetes

Learn more about how we can support you and your child on the Diabetes page on our Paediatric Health site

Other helpful resources

The HealthDirect website has more information and resources about diabetes in Australia. Learn more about diabetes on the Australian Government HealthDirect website

Diabetes Tasmania is a statewide, not for profit community-based organisation that helps to support and advocate for people living with diabetes. There is a range of resources and services available to support you.

View the Diabetes Tasmania website