Blood testing for T1D autoantibodies can now predict the disease before the onset of symptoms. Persistent presence of two or more autoantibodies may indicate that the immune system has begun attacking the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
If autoantibodies are detected through screening, treatments may be available to delay onset of T1D diagnosis. Additionally, with early monitoring of symptoms, individuals that have positive autoantibodies may avoid diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition where profound insulin deficiency can result in very high sugars and ketones, leading to potentially severe consequences.
Individuals can be screened at any age, and some at high risk (like children or relatives of a person with T1D) may even choose to be screened more than one time. Some states are now considering universal screening of all children for T1D autoantibodies during routine pediatric visits. Blood for a screening test can be collected by finger stick using an in-office or at-home mail-in kit, or by laboratory blood draw.
For more information about screening options, visit BreakthroughT1D.org (formerly JDRF) and Screenfortype1.com.
You could speak with your doctor about ordering a blood test through a commercial lab, such as Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics, or request an at-home screening kit like enablebiosciences.com.
You may also be eligible to participate in a screening trial with the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at ASKHealth.org or with TrialNet (if you have a relative with T1D).