This November during National Diabetes Awareness Month, Breakthrough T1D (BreakthroughT1D.org/earlydetection) encourages everyone to get screened for type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D is a chronic autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is an essential hormone that helps the body turn food into energy. People living with type 1 diabetes must take insulin by injection or insulin pump to survive.
Most people who are diagnosed with it have no family history. A simple blood test can identify people at risk by looking for markers in their blood called autoantibodies. These autoantibodies signal that the body’s immune system is attacking the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
Thanks to advances in research and a better understanding of the human immune system, we can now detect risk for T1D many years before the onset of symptoms. This makes it possible to prevent serious illness that often comes with a T1D diagnosis.
Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) Early Detection—their education and awareness program will arm you with the information you need to understand why early detection is important, how to participate and resources when you receive the results, including an opportunity to take part in preventive treatment or a clinical trial.
Early detection can be conducted through your doctor’s office or a research study (no cost option). Visit BreakthroughT1D.org/earlydetection to learn more or email the Nebraska Chapter at
Nebraska@BT1D.org.