Early failure of Beta-Cells in Type 2.

Evidence from both humans and animal studies suggest that Type 2 diabetes is characterized by dysfunctional beta-cells that cannot adapt insulin secretion to compensate for increasing insulin resistance and it is believed that this occurs in the early stage in the progression of Type 2 diabetes.
Research suggests that the decline in the beta-cell function may be slowed or reversed particularly if addressed early in the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes.

Seems that the longer it goes undetected then the more damage is done.

http://diabetesnewshound.com/type2/fail ... eta-cells/