I’ve Screened My Children for the Autoantibodies of Type 1 Diabetes

So, picture this: It’s 2017, and I’m a brand-new mom with a two-year-old. I’ve heard a few times about screening my child for the “autoantibodies” of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but I know the symptoms. Besides, there’s nothing we could do about it if she did test positive, right? So, I’m like, “Nahhh, I’ve got this! I’ve lived with T1D for 25 years. I know the signs.” 

Spoiler alert: I was about to learn a whole lot!

Then, my wise friend, a certified diabetes educator, chimed in. 

“Hold on!” Allison Schauwecker, CDCES, RD, told me. “This isn’t just about checking for symptoms or high blood sugar. We’re talking about testing for autoantibodies that can show up years before any symptoms even think about making an appearance!”

“Oh, cool, okay, but there’s still nothing we can do about it, so what’s the point?” I pushed back.

“Nope!” she replied. “If she tests positive, there are so many clinical trials in the works that could help delay the onset of T1D.”

Now she had my full attention!

Reasons Parents Should Screen Kids for T1D and T2D

Fast forward to today: I’ve gotten both my kiddos screened not once but twice! And trust me, you’ll want to do the same.

Here’s why it’s so important:

Meet the Autoantibodies

These little troublemakers pop up when your immune system decides to attack itself. But guess what? We can test for these autoantibodies! Researchers know exactly which antibodies to look for and how to test for them with an easy blood draw or an at-home test.

Early Birds get the Worms

Most kids develop these autoantibodies by age five, even if T1D doesn’t fully kick in until they’re teenagers or beyond. This means it’s never too early to get your child screened. (It’s also never too late! T1D can develop at any age — even well into your 40s or 50s or 60s!)

Three stages of T1D

There are three stages of type 1 diabetes based on the presence of autoantibodies:

Stage 1: Two or more autoantibodies but normal blood sugar.

Stage 2: Two or more autoantibodies, abnormal blood sugar, but no symptoms yet.

Stage 3: Symptoms show up, blood sugar is high, and insulin is a must! 

Common Misconceptions around Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is widely misunderstood. With all the misconceptions floating around about T1D, it’s nice to get your facts straight. While the symptoms may vary, physicians believe the autoimmune disorder is triggered by environmental factors and a person’s genes.

Let’s tackle a few common misperceptions about T1D.

“Well, it doesn’t really run in our family.” 

Sure, having a family member with T1D raises the risk, but 85-90 percent of people diagnosed don’t have a family history at all. So, everyone should consider screening! And the rates of T1D are rising.

“Well, I’m an adult, so I’m safe.”

Nope. T1D can develop at any age. Unfortunately, more and more adults are being misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes because so many people (including healthcare professionals) still think it develops during childhood. 

“Well, I’ll see the signs and symptoms, so what’s the point?”

Getting screened means you’re catching T1D before the danger of high blood sugar levels and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We don’t need to wait anymore for things to get bad. 

“Well, we can’t stop it from progressing, so it’ll just stress me out.”

There are many clinical trials happening right now studying investigational therapies to stop the progression of T1D in its earliest stages or shortly after diagnosis. 

One example is Diamyd’s GAD-65 therapy, which has a very high safety profile and only involves three injections over three months. Learn more about other groundbreaking T1D research here.  

The Reality of Screening: A Little Scary, But Totally Worth It

I get it — taking a toddler for a blood test can feel like a scene from a horror movie! My daughter Lucy cried at the lab, but she was a champ and held out her arm like a little hero. Then there’s Violet, who needed a bear hug just to stay still!

But here’s the deal: I’d rather they endure a tiny bit of discomfort now than miss the chance to catch something serious later. It’s all about health, and hey, a little character-building never hurt anyone — at least, that’s what my mother always told me.

I explained the whole deal to my girls: “We’ve gotta do this scary thing because it helps us find out something super important about your health. It might not be fun, but it’s necessary!”

I’m grateful to report that both children tested negative for autoantibodies.

Bottom Line: Screen Your Kids for T1D!

Yes, screening your kids for type 1 diabetes is worth every bit of effort. You can do it, they can do it, and you’ll give them a shot at catching T1D before it fully kicks in. 

Prevention Research Study

If You’re a Parent with Type 1 Diabetes, You Need to Do This:

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