Screening for Type 1 Diabetes

• Screening for type 1 diabetes now allows us to detect its earliest stages through autoantibodies.
• About 90 percent of people with type 1 diabetes have no family history, and rates are rising, making screening worthwhile for any family.
• Whether or not type 1 diabetes runs in your family, consider screening your children and older relatives with a simple blood test.

What are autoantibodies?

• When your immune system starts attacking your own body, your body produces specific autoantibodies depending on what’s being attacked.
• There are five types of autoantibodies related to type 1 diabetes that result from this attack
• A simple blood test can detect those autoantibodies.

Why screening for type 1 diabetes matters

• Screening for autoantibodies can detect early type 1 diabetes before blood sugar rises or symptoms appear.
• Until recently, detection required blood sugar checks or waiting for symptoms.
• The signs of type 1 diabetes (constant thirst and frequent urination, weight loss, being tired all the time) only develop when your blood sugar levels have been high (or dangerously high) for weeks.

What are the benefits of screening for type 1 diabetes?

Benefits include:

• Detecting type 1 diabetes early reduces the likelihood of diabetic ketoacidosis and hospitalization at diagnosis
• Opportunities to participate in clinical trials to prevent or delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for years after screening
• Knowing your results gives you peace of mind and time to prepare

Talk to your doctor

• Consider screening your children and other family members today!
• Don’t wait for type 1 symptoms to show up.
• Early detection of type 1 diabetes through autoantibody screening can save lives.
• Talk to your doctor today about getting screened and keep your family healthy and prepared for the future.

For more information about the importance of recognizing the symptoms of type 1 and educating others to prevent DKA and other complications, explore our Warning Signs Awareness Campaign.