If you haven’t learned about the value of screening for the autoantibodies of type 1 diabetes, it’s time to pay attention!
On May 21, 2025, Breakthrough T1D submitted an application to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommending that T1D autoantibody screening become part of routine healthcare across the USA.
Autoantibodies develop when the immune system attacks your own body. In type 1 diabetes, these autoantibodies can be detected years before a person may need insulin therapy.
Early detection means preventing life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis and allowing adults and families time to consider participating in life-changing clinical trials aimed at preserving insulin production.
Thank you, Breakthrough T1D, for driving this. Every family should be screening their child for the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes.
✅ Type 1 diabetes can develop at ANY age.
✅ 90% of people with T1D have no family history of the disease.
✅ There are three stages of T1D, and the early stages are only detectable with autoantibody testing.
✅ The autoantibodies of T1D can be detected with a simple blood test.
✅ Autoantibodies can be present in the blood years before a person might need daily insulin therapy.
✅ If a person tests positive for these autoantibodies, they have the opportunity to monitor blood glucose levels — preventing DKA at diagnosis.
✅ If someone tests positive in the early stages of type 1 diabetes, they may have the chance to join groundbreaking clinical trials with therapies designed to slow down or stop the attack on insulin-producing cells in the pancreas!
Learn more about screening here: https://youtu.be/ASERd6geyzU

Ginger Vieira has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1999 along with a few other chronic illnesses! She is the Cofounder of the Diabetes Nerd Network and the Diabetes Nerd Marketing agency. Ginger has authored hundreds of articles and several books, including Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes, Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes, Dealing with Diabetes Burnout, and Stop Overeating During Lows. Over her 20-year career (so far) in diabetes, she’s produced hundreds of articles and videos about life with diabetes. Her background includes a Bachelor of Science in professional writing and certifications in coaching, personal training, powerlifting, and Ashtanga yoga.
