Get Answers - Risk Factors

Risk Factors
Question: Will changing my family’s diet and increasing their exercise prevent Type 1?
Answer:

A healthy diet and lifestyle is good for everyone. But type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, not caused by overeating or lack of exercise.

Question: If my doctor has been checking me for the development of diabetes, are those the same tests?
Answer:

Probably not. Most doctors check for the development of diabetes by checking blood sugar levels. Our aim is to prevent type 1 diabetes, therefore we hope to identify those most at risk months or years before their blood sugars are altered.

Question: I already know the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, so why should I participate?
Answer:

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes occur after approximately 60-85% of a person's insulin producing cells have been destroyed. TrialNet is looking for early markers of risk that can sometimes be found years before the onset of clinical symptoms. This gives researchers a window of opportunity to test therapies aimed at delaying or preventing the onset of type 1 diabetes. Why Participate?

Question: My child has already tested negative for the diabetes gene under the TEDDY study. Doesn't that mean there is no need to do TrialNet screening?
Answer:

We suggest you also get tested through TrialNet since it assesses whether the autoimmune response has already started. TEDDY tests for genes related to type 1 diabetes.

Question: Will screening tell me if I am at risk for type 2 diabetes? Will it tell me what blood type I am?
Answer:

No. TrialNet screening only determines autoantibodies and will not determine type 2 diabetes risk or blood type.

Question: Does risk for type 1 diabetes vary by ethnicity?
Answer:

Yes, risk for type 1 diabetes varies by ethnicity. However, if you have a family member with type 1 diabetes, your risk is still 15 times greater than if you had no family member with type 1 diabetes. 

Question: What is the risk for the second twin after the first is diagnosed?
Answer:

The twin's chance of developing type 1 diabetes is at least 30%.