How to Treat Type 1 Diabetes Without Insulin

Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as diabetes mellitus type 1 or juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disorder in which the beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed, limiting insulin production. This lack of insulin creates a glucose increase that is damaging to the body and can be lethal. Although it has been suggested that insulin injections are the only way of treating type 1 diabetes, pancreas transplants can also treat type 1 diabetes, as well as experimental stem cell transplants.

Instructions

• 1

  Speak with your doctor. He or she is the first step in determining whether or not you can manage your diabetes without insulin. Although type 1 diabetes cannot be managed only with diet, like type 2 diabetes, there are a few other options you and your doctor can consider.

• 2

  Determine if you have blood vessel or heart disease. Your doctor can give you a test to see if you suffer from these diseases. If you have one or both of these disorders, you are probably not a good candidate for a pancreas transplant.

• 3

  Consider the risks. According to the Diabetes Association, about 10 to 20 percent of people who receive pancreas transplants die within a year of receiving the transplant.

• 4

  Sign up at a transplant center. You may want to ask your doctor to recommend a transplant center. There can be long waiting lists for pancreatic transplants and you will be less apt to receive a transplant if you are at risk for blood vessel or heart disease, even if your doctor has recommended you for a transplant.

• 5

  Sign up for an experimental stem cell transplant. Although this procedure is not yet medically approved, both experimental animal and human stem cell transplants have proven hopeful in curing type 1 diabetes.