Understanding Type 1 Diabetes and the Importance of Early Detection

Posted by Dr. Victoria Bouhairie, MD, DABOM, DipABLM

What is Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use sugar (glucose) for energy. Without insulin, blood glucose levels rise too high, which can be dangerous. People with T1D need daily insulin through injections or an insulin pump to stay healthy.

Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes

While the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing it:

Family history: Having a parent, sibling, or other close relative with T1D increases the risk.
Genetics: Certain genes are linked to a higher risk of T1D.
Age: T1D can occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults.
Autoimmune conditions: Individuals with other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid or celiac disease, are at a higher risk.
Environmental triggers: Factors like viral infections or foods may play a role in triggering the immune system’s attack on insulin-producing cells.

Understanding these risk factors can help families and individuals make informed decisions about screening and early detection.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes

Living with T1D means carefully managing blood glucose levels every day. This includes:

Checking blood glucose regularly using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
Taking insulin through injections or a pump.
Eating balanced meals with appropriate portions of carbohydrates to manage blood glucose.
Exercising safely to avoid blood glucose spikes or drops.

Managing T1D can be challenging, but with support, education, and technology, people with T1D can lead healthy, active lives.

Complications of Diabetes

Challenges with blood glucose management can lead to serious complications, including:

Heart disease and stroke from damaged blood vessels
Kidney disease (nephropathy) caused by overworked kidneys
Nerve damage (neuropathy), leading to pain or numbness, especially in the hands and feet
Eye damage (retinopathy), which can cause blindness if untreated
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition when blood glucose is extremely high and insulin is very low

Early detection and proper care can often prevent or delay these complications.

What Screening for Type 1 Diabetes Entails

Screening for Type 1 diabetes focuses on identifying autoantibodies in the blood. Autoantibodies are proteins that show the immune system is mistakenly attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

The screening process includes:

A simple blood test to check for specific autoantibodies linked to T1D.
Follow-up testing if autoantibodies are detected to monitor blood glucose levels and the progression of the disease.

Screening is especially important for people with a family history of T1D or who are at higher genetic risk. Early screening can identify T1D before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention and treatment to delay progression.

Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of Type 1 diabetes can prevent severe complications. Sometimes, T1D is not diagnosed until symptoms like extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, or fatigue appear. In many cases, people experience a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) before diagnosis.

Screening for T1D helps detect the condition early by looking for autoantibodies, which are signals that the immune system is attacking the pancreas. Early detection allows for:

Timely education on blood sugar management.
Preventing DKA and other serious health issues.
Access to new therapies that may delay the progression of T1D.

Delaying Type 1 Diabetes Progression

T1D develops in stages:

Stage 1: Autoantibodies are present, but blood glucose is at a non-diabetic range, and there are no symptoms.
Stage 2: Blood glucose levels rise slightly, but symptoms are still absent.
Stage 3: Symptoms appear, and blood glucose is elevated enough for a T1D diagnosis.

By catching T1D in Stage 1 or Stage 2, doctors can introduce treatments that may slow the disease’s progression. This means individuals may be able to slow the advancement of Type 1 diabetes, postponing the need for insulin therapy.

Brief Introduction to TZIELD

TZIELD is a new treatment designed to delay the progression of Type 1 diabetes. It works by modifying the immune system to slow down the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

TZIELD is used in people at risk of developing T1D, particularly those in Stage 2. By delaying the onset of T1D, TZIELD gives people more time before they need to start insulin therapy, helping improve their quality of life.

Understanding Type 1 diabetes, recognizing its early signs, and taking steps to delay its progression can make a big difference. With advancements like screening tests and treatments like TZIELD, there’s hope for earlier intervention and better outcomes for people at risk of T1D.

Learn more about the TZIELD COMPASS Support Program: https://www.tzield.com/tzield-compass-support-program

Resources:

TAGS monitoring reducing risks t1d

Join the Community