- For U.S. Residents Only
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The risk for type 1 diabetes might be higher than you think
Even if just 1 person in your family has type 1 diabetes,
you're up to 15x more likely to get it too.
Family history is a significant risk factor. That means if anyone in your family has type 1 diabetes— whether it's a close family member or relative—you or your child is up to 15x more likely to get it.
The risk of developing type 1 diabetes:
up
to 1 in 20
with family history
1 in 300
without family history
Certain autoimmune or viral conditions can also increase your risk
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes isn’t known—and that means many of the risk factors are unknown too. But certain other conditions can increase your risk:
Having an autoimmune condition or a history of autoimmune conditions in your family could put you or your child at higher risk. These autoimmune conditions include celiac disease or Hashimoto's disease
Some common viruses could also increase the risk. These include common illnesses that you may have heard of, like:
- coxsackievirus B
- rotavirus (which often causes diarrhea)
- mumps
- a virus related to herpes called cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Type 1 diabetes
can happen at
any age even as an adult
Some people think of type 1 diabetes as a children’s disease—more likely to affect kids. But over half the people who are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes get diagnosed as adults. That means that you or your child could still be at risk for type 1 diabetes—at any age.
Type 1 Risk Quiz
This quiz is intended for people age 18 years and older.
Could you or your child be at risk for developing type 1 diabetes?
The risk of type 1 is real—so take this easy quiz to help find out if you or your child might be at risk. Then, talk to your doctor about the steps you can take. Knowing the risk is the first step to getting prepared for the future.
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Talk to your doctor to learn more and screen it like you mean it.
This information is based on the answers that you provided and our current understanding of the risk of developing type 1. The actual risk may be higher or lower based on a number of different factors.
