Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells. But T1D happens in stages. The attack on the beta cells starts before you need insulin injections. This is called early-stage T1D.
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A simple blood test can detect T1D in its earliest stages, before there are any symptoms — providing individuals and their families with an opportunity to monitor for changes in blood glucose and to recognize symptoms as they develop.
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Early detection can:
• give families tools to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and its complications
• identify people eligible to receive intervention or participate in clinical trials to delay progression
to symptomatic diabetes
• allow families to learn important skills before the need for insulin develops