What is the primary issue in diabetes?

The primary issue in diabetes involves both the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin and the mismanagement of insulin. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin at all due to the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. In Type 2 diabetes, while the body may produce insulin, it often does so at insufficient levels or does not effectively utilize the insulin it produces, leading to insulin resistance. This combination illustrates the fundamental problems related to insulin in diabetes.

Additionally, understanding that insulin management is critical for maintaining blood glucose levels emphasizes the need for both production and effective usage in the body's metabolic processes. This highlights why the comprehensive answer includes both aspects – the absence of insulin production and the consequences of insulin mismanagement. Thus, addressing both points is essential in understanding the challenges faced in diabetes management.