Insulin-dependent diabetes********REMINDER****** The information contained in the rare disease database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. If you would like more information about this disorder, please contact your personal doctor and/or the organizations listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Insulin-dependent diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin and is, therefore, unable to convert nutrients into the energy needed for daily activity. The disorder affects females and males more or less equally. Although the causes of insulin-dependent diabetes are unknown, genetic factors appear to play a role. Normally, sugars and starches (carbohydrates) in the foods we eat are transformed by digestive juices into glucose. Glucose circulates in the blood as a major source of energy for the body's functions. Its use is mainly regulated by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas gland (located behind the stomach). In people with diabetes there is a malfunction in the production of insulin. There are two main types of diabetes: type I or insulin-dependent and type II or non-insulin-dependent. The insulin-dependent type of diabetes generally begins in childhood or adolescence, although it can occur at any age. Because the pancreas provides little or no insulin in this disease, daily injections of the hormone and a controlled diet are needed to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin is generally effective at preventing glucose buildup, but it is a treatment and not a cure for diabetes. The onset of insulin-dependent diabetes begins with frequent urination, extreme thirst, constant hunger, and unexplained weight loss. Because people with type I diabetes don't have enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood at levels too high to be excreted by the kidneys. In an attempt to remove excess sugar, the kidneys excrete it