- For U.S. Residents Only
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SCREEN IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT
An autoantibody test is a blood test that can spot type 1 diabetes early—before you need insulin.
Why should you
SCREEN?
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
There have been advancements in treatment. Talk to your doctor about what could come next.
Learn the symptoms of type 1 diabetes
By knowing if you or your child is in the early stages of type 1 diabetes, you can be better prepared to recognize symptoms when they do appear. This can help you understand what’s ahead and lower the risk of serious complications and long-term consequences of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis.
Prepare for WHAT'S AHEAD
Knowing if you or your child has early-stage type 1 diabetes can give you time to plan ahead. Living with type 1 diabetes means taking on new responsibilities, and there is a learning curve that comes with managing it. Getting ahead of insulin dependence can help you:
develop the skills needed to manage type 1 diabetes
start to prepare for financial responsibilities in the future
find the right care team to support you
How can you SCREEN?
There are many options for where to get screened.
Talk to your doctor about the option that’s best for you.
Schedule an appointment to take the test at a doctor's office. Your doctor can also give a referral to get tested at a participating lab in your area, like Labcorp® or Quest Diagnostics®. The cost of these tests depends on your insurance coverage.
Talk to your doctor to learn more and for help getting screened.Download a helpful screening guide
These are not all of the screening options available. It's important to talk to your doctor about the best screening option for you. Inclusion in this list does not imply the endorsement of Sanofi.
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Get a test kit shipped directly to your home from Enable Biosciences. The kit includes detailed instructions for drawing a blood sample from your fingertip.* This test may be a lower cost option (financial assistance may be available).
Order a test kit
*
If the test result is positive, talk to your doctor about confirming these results with a lab test.
If you have a relative with type 1 diabetes, TrialNet*—a research-based screening and clinical trial program—can mail you a free test kit to take at home or at a participating lab.
Order a test kit*
Based on your results from TrialNet, you may qualify for a clinical trial and/or ongoing monitoring. Visit TrialNet.org for more information, including age restrictions.
Schedule an appointment to take the test at a doctor's office. Your doctor can also give a referral to get tested at a participating lab in your area, like Labcorp® or Quest Diagnostics®. The cost of these tests depends on your insurance coverage.
Talk to your doctor to learn more and for help getting screened.Download a helpful screening guideThese are not all of the screening options available. It's important to talk to your doctor about the best screening option for you. Inclusion in this list does not imply the endorsement of Sanofi.
.
Get a test kit shipped directly to your home from Enable Biosciences. The kit includes detailed instructions for drawing a blood sample from your fingertip.* This test may be a lower cost option (financial assistance may be available).
Order a test kit*
If the test result is positive, talk to your doctor about confirming these results with a lab test.
If you have a relative with type 1 diabetes, TrialNet*—a research-based screening and clinical trial program—can mail you a free test kit to take at home or at a participating lab.
Order a test kit*
Based on your results from TrialNet, you may qualify for a clinical trial and/or ongoing monitoring. Visit TrialNet.org for more information, including age restrictions.
Ready to screen? Use this guide to talk to your doctor about why, where, and how to take action.
What do the
RESULTS MEAN?
The screening test looks for diabetes-related autoantibodies. These are proteins that appear in the blood when type 1 diabetes begins, even in the early stages.
The test could find:
0 AUTOANTIBODIES
If the test finds no autoantibodies:
- Talk to your doctor about rescreening every year until the age of 18 if other people in your family have type 1
1 AUTOANTIBODY
If the test finds 1 autoantibody, you or your child are at a higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes. You can talk to your doctor about:
- Rescreening first to confirm that there are no additional autoantibodies
- Rescreening every year to see if more autoantibodies develop
2+ AUTOANTIBODIES
If the test finds 2 or more autoantibodies, this is a sign that the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes may have begun. Talk to your doctor about monitoring blood sugars and other next steps, so you can take charge of your health.
FAQs
Early-stage type 1 diabetes is also known as pre–insulin-dependent diabetes. This is when type 1 diabetes has begun, but the body can still make enough insulin to keep blood sugar in a relatively healthy range. Early-stage type 1 diabetes is not the same as the honeymoon stage. The honeymoon stage is a short period after diagnosis of insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes when diabetes symptoms seem to get better.
An autoantibody test is a blood test that can spot type 1 diabetes early—before you need insulin. It does this by looking for diabetes-related autoantibodies. These are proteins that appear in the blood when type 1 diabetes begins, even in early stages before there are any symptoms. Two or more autoantibodies is a sign that the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes may have begun. The test is usually performed by using a finger prick or blood draw.
Each screening option has a different cost. For example, Enable Biosciences offers an at-home test—visit the website to learn more. TrialNet offers free screening to those who have a relative with type 1 diabetes. The cost of screening at a lab varies depending on your insurance coverage. Talk to your doctor and insurance provider to find out if screening is covered.
An autoantibody test is not the same as genetic testing. An autoantibody test is a blood test that can spot type 1 diabetes early—before you need insulin. It does this by looking for diabetes-related autoantibodies. Based on the results, you may be able to tell if you or your child is in the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes.
Genetic testing can identify a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes over someone's life by looking at their DNA (the building blocks of cells). It can’t give information about whether stages of type 1 diabetes have begun.
Each screening option has a different age restriction. Talk to your doctor to learn which screening option is best for you or your child.
If just 1 person in your family has type 1 diabetes, you’re up to 15x more likely to get it too.
If a screening test shows that you or your child is in the early stages of type 1 diabetes, there’s more you can do now. Knowing your results can help you:
- Know your options and keep up with advancements in treatment for type 1 diabetes
- Learn the symptoms of type 1 before they appear
- Find the right care team to support you
Talk to your doctor about screening and what comes next.
Autoantibodies are proteins that appear in the blood when type 1 diabetes begins, even in early stages before there are any symptoms.
When 2 or more autoantibodies are present, it means the early stages of type 1 diabetes may have begun.
The next steps depend on the results of screening. There are 3 possible results:
- 0 Autoantibodies: If the test finds no autoantibodies, talk to your doctor about rescreening every year until the age of 18 if other people in your family have type 1
- 1 Autoantibody: If the test finds 1 autoantibody, you or your child are at a higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes. You can talk to your doctor about rescreening first to confirm that there are no additional autoantibodies, and rescreening every year to see if more autoantibodies develop
- 2+ Autoantibodies: If the test finds 2 or more autoantibodies, this is a sign that the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes may have begun. Talk to your doctor about monitoring blood sugars and other next steps, so you can take charge of your health
If just 1 person in your family has type 1 diabetes, you’re up to 15x more likely to get it too. That’s why it’s important to screen it like you mean it, so you can learn the results and take action.
To learn more about your or your child's risk, talk to your doctor and take The Type 1 Risk Quiz.
Anyone can be screened for diabetes-related autoantibodies, but it’s especially important if others in your family have type 1 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the best screening option for you or child.
Your doctor’s guidance and expertise should always be taken seriously. If you feel like you or child could benefit from early screening, continue having the conversation with your doctor. You can also consider getting a second opinion from a different healthcare professional, like an endocrinologist.
The type 1 diabetes community is a powerful network. If you want to learn more about early screening, find stories about living with type 1 diabetes, or connect with the community, check out some helpful programs below or read about different organizations:
- Type1Talk: Sign up to get more information and educational resources about the importance of early screening
- JDRF’s T1Detect Program: Sign up for this education and awareness program to explore additional screening options, available research studies, and steps to take after getting test results
- Ask the Experts: Call or email an expert to get more information, support, and advice about type 1 diabetes and screening
Join the Screen for Type 1 community on social through Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
