What type of diabetes is referred to as insulin-dependent?

Insulin-dependent diabetes refers specifically to Diabetes Mellitus Type 1. This condition occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin due to an autoimmune response that attacks insulin-producing beta cells. As a result, individuals with Type 1 diabetes require daily insulin injections or an insulin pump to manage their blood glucose levels effectively.

This classification as insulin-dependent is crucial because the body’s inability to produce insulin necessitates external administration to maintain normal metabolic function and prevent hyperglycemia. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes typically involves insulin resistance rather than an outright lack of insulin production, and gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth. Non-insulin dependent diabetes, which is another term commonly associated with Type 2 diabetes, highlights that individuals may manage their condition through lifestyle changes and oral medications without necessarily requiring insulin. Therefore, the association of Type 1 diabetes with insulin dependency firmly establishes it as the correct answer to the question.