Actress Aishwarya Sakhuja Marks 10 Years with Type‑1 Diabetes After Early Misdiagnosis

Actress Aishwarya Sakhuja celebrated a decade of living with Type 1 diabetes on October 18, after disclosing on Instagram that she was originally misdiagnosed. She said the early mistake left her unaware of the changes in her body until she learned she needed daily insulin. Sakhuja marked ten years of insulin therapy, describing the period as full of highs, lows, frustration and constant self‑care, even on days that felt like a full‑time job. She added that regular workouts and careful eating have helped her manage the condition, and she has learned to treat her body with more kindness.

Medical Insight

Dr Pallav Mishra, director of internal medicine at ShardaCare – Healthcity, warned that a wrong Type 1 diagnosis followed by unnecessary insulin can cause serious problems. He explained that Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, leaving the body unable to produce insulin and requiring lifelong injections. Conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, monogenic diabetes or temporary glucose disturbances can be mistaken for Type 1, and treatment needs differ. The most immediate danger of excess insulin is hypoglycaemia, which can cause sweating, trembling, dizziness, confusion and, in severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness. Repeated lows may also erode confidence in daily management. Long‑term insulin use alone does not cause organ damage, but unnecessary exposure can raise the risk of recurrent hypoglycaemia and weight gain; the underlying disease drives most long‑term risks. Mishra said doctors confirm diagnosis by reviewing blood‑glucose logs, HbA1c, C‑peptide levels and auto‑antibodies, and advised anyone doubting a long‑standing Type 1 label to see an endocrinologist. He cautioned that stopping insulin without medical guidance can trigger diabetic ketoacidosis, a life‑threatening emergency.

Context

Accurate diabetes typing is crucial because treatment plans and health outcomes differ markedly between Type 1 and other forms of diabetes.