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Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection
Knowing if you have early stage type 1 diabetes gives you options. Detect so you can decide.
Detecting type 1 diabetes early gives you time
You know the phrase “knowledge is power”? That’s what you gain when you or a family member gets screened for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Thanks to recent medical breakthroughs, when you detect T1D early you gain time to prepare for future needs—and may even be able to delay the need for insulin therapy.
How does type 1 diabetes screening work?
Type 1 diabetes doesn’t show up overnight—it develops in stages over time.
A simple blood test can identify proteins in the blood called islet autoantibodies. These proteins may signal that the body’s immune system is attacking cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. If a person has two or more autoantibodies on more than one test, it is very likely they’ll develop T1D.
The chart below explains the different stages of T1D and the symptoms that families should be aware of during monitoring.
Stage 1 Type 1 Diabetes
In stage 1, a person has no symptoms and their blood glucose levels are normal, but blood tests show multiple autoantibodies.
Stage 2 Type 1 Diabetes
In stage 2, a person has no symptoms, but their blood sugar levels start to become abnormal. Blood tests at this stage show autoantibodies, usually multiple.
Stage 3 Type 1 Diabetes
In stage 3, a person may show symptoms of type 1 diabetes, and their blood sugar levels are elevated, requiring insulin therapy. While many people have autoantibodies when they are diagnosed with stage 3 T1D, not all will as autoantibodies may become absent over time. Eventually, people with stage 3 T1D will require insulin therapy as their blood sugar rises.
What are the benefits of early detection?
Early detection can help identify T1D before symptoms occur so that you and your healthcare team can develop a monitoring plan.
Early detection of type 1 diabetes has many proven benefits, including:
- Reducing the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of stage 3 type 1 diabetes
- Introducing individuals with early stage T1D to research or clinical trials aimed at delaying/preventing the onset of stage 3 T1D
- Connecting individuals with early stage T1D to specialists for follow up and consideration of FDA-approved therapies to delay onset of stage 3 T1D
- Giving families time to plan and prepare
What are your screening options?
Try our screening decision tool.
Type 1 diabetes can now be identified early, before insulin is required, with a simple blood test that looks for T1D autoantibodies.
Learn about your options to screen for early stage T1D, including free research studies and through your doctor’s office.
Screening Decision Tool
How to get screened for T1D
Your age, risk factors, and other criteria determine which screening options you’re eligible for.
For people with a family history of T1D
People with a family history of T1D may be eligible for TrialNet
TrialNet is a free, research-based T1D early detection and clinical trial program for family members of people with type 1 diabetes. This network of experts has sites throughout the United States, and T1D screening can be done through an at-home kit or in person.
The program is available for individuals between the ages of 2 and 45 years with a first-degree relative (parent, child, sibling) with T1D, ages 2 to 20 with a second-degree relative (cousin, grandparent) with T1D, OR anyone ages 2 to 45 years who has tested positive for at least one T1D-related autoantibody outside of TrialNet.
For everyone
Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider
Your doctor or your child’s doctor can order labs to detect T1D autoantibodies, and the cost may be covered by your insurance. Use our screening support guide to learn how you can get screened.
Autoantibodies that your provider should be testing for through labs include:
- Insulin Autoantibody (IAA): CPT 86337
- Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Autoantibody: CPT 86341
- Islet Antigen 2 Autoantibody (IA-2A): CPT 86341
- Zinc Transporter 8 (ZnT8) Autoantibody: CPT 86341
After testing, be sure to follow up. If autoantibodies are present, ask for repeat testing to confirm the presence of type 1 diabetes autoantibodies.
Participate in the ASK program
ASK (Autoimmunity Screening for Kids) is a free, research-based program that screens for type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Screening can be done through an at-home kit or at a lab.
The program is available to all children and adults in the United States ages 1-99. No family connection to T1D is required to participate in the ASK program.
What do my results mean?
Autoantibodies detected
If autoantibodies are detected on your screening test, this means you could have early stage type 1 diabetes. It is important that you repeat this test to check if the autoantibodies are truly there. If autoantibodies are present on a second test, this means they are persistent.
You will require additional testing to determine staging. One persistent autoantibody means you are at risk for developing type 1 diabetes. Two or more persistent autoantibodies means you have early stage type 1 diabetes.
Additionally, you can take advantage of one of the following free resources:
TrialNet is an international network of leaders in T1D research and clinical care with 27 centers in the United States. They will be able to confirm the results and may suggest additional testing. You can speak with an expert at TrialNet about your results by calling 1-800-425-8361.
Ask the Experts is a group of doctors and other healthcare professionals who can answer your questions about early detection, give individualized advice, and determine a plan for confirmatory testing. They can be reached by emailing Questions@AsktheExperts.org or by calling 303-724-1212.
No autoantibodies detected
If your screening test does not show autoantibodies, this means you likely do not have early stage type 1 diabetes at this time. Talk to your healthcare provider about participating in T1D screening again in the future, especially if you are under the age of 18.
Monitoring guidance
If autoantibodies are detected and confirmed on a second blood test, you will need to be clinically monitored. If you have one autoantibody (GAD, IAA or ZnT8), your healthcare team should monitor your autoantibodies and blood sugar every 6 to 12 months. If you have IA-2 or more than one autoantibody, your healthcare team should monitor your blood sugar every 3 to 12 months, depending on age.
Type 1 diabetes diagnosis statistics
1 in 20
People with a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes who will also develop the condition
85%
Percentage of diagnoses in people who have no family members with the disease
10-14
The age at which most type 1 diabetes diagnoses occur
Over 60%
Percentage of T1D diagnoses that are in adults over the age of 20
40%
Percentage of adults with T1D who are initially misdiagnosed as having type 2 diabetes
100%
Your lifetime risk of developing T1D if you have two or more persistent autoantibodies
Video Testimonials
What can you gain from early detection of T1D? Hear from real people and families who made the decision to screen.
“Knowledge allowed us to enjoy life a little more.”
—Dana, living with T1D
“There’s so much power in being able to use your voice and your story.”
—Amy, living with T1D
“You can have a little bit of power over this challenging disease.”
—Amanda, living with T1D and mother of Emmie, who also lives with T1D
The latest in T1D research
At Breakthrough T1D, we’re committed to connecting you with important research about early screening for type 1 diabetes and potential new therapies. Browse the latest research:
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Continuous Glucose Monitors Life with T1D Support
Advocacy Events and Conferences Life with T1D Medical Affairs People and Leadership Research
Our partners
The early detection program is supported by the following partners:
Have you been diagnosed with early stage T1D? Join a clinical trial.
You can take part in new disease-modifying therapy (DMT) clinical trials and help advance treatments and care so people with type 1 diabetes can live fuller, healthier lives.
