Type 1 diabetes means that without taking insulin, a person cannot live. There are those who still produce some insulin, but not in sufficient amounts to control their blood sugars without taking insulin. This is referred to as type 1.5 diabetes. A physician can order a C-Peptide test, which can give you some idea of how much insulin your pancreas is producing. Type 1 diabetes often comes on fast and strong, with rapid weight loss, thirst, frequent urination, then stabilizes for a period until the cells stop insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1.