Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Here are the main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes—the body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day. Type 2 diabetes—the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes mellitus (GDM)—occurs when a woman is pregnant. It raises her risk of getting another type of diabetes, mostly type 2, for the rest of her life. It also raises her child’s risk of being overweight and getting diabetes. Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Here are the main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes—the body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day. Type 2 diabetes—the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes mellitus (GDM)—occurs when a woman is pregnant. It raises her risk of getting another type of diabetes, mostly type 2, for the rest of her life. It also raises her child’s risk of being overweight and getting diabetes.