Which statement is true about insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes?

• A. It is only needed during illness
• B. It is required because of absolute insulin deficiency
• C. It can be avoided with diet
• D. It worsens autoimmunity

Answer: (B)

Type 1 diabetes is marked by autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells, which leads to an absolute deficiency of insulin. Because the body cannot produce insulin, it cannot move glucose from the blood into cells to be used for energy. That makes lifelong insulin therapy essential to survive and to regulate blood glucose properly.

Insulin is needed continuously, not just during illness. Illness may require temporary dose adjustments, but it does not remove the need for insulin. You can’t prevent type 1 diabetes symptoms or control glucose with diet alone, since there’s little to no insulin being produced to begin with. And insulin doesn’t worsen autoimmunity; it functions as replacement hormone to enable glucose uptake and metabolism.