Study shows type 1 diabetes early diagnosis may be possible

[DCUK NewsBot]

A breakthrough discovery could see type 1 diabetes being diagnosed before symptoms kick in which may help with efforts to delay development of the condition, researchers have said. In most cases, type 1 diabetes is usually identified following symptoms such as extreme thirst, excessive urination and tiredness, all of which are a result of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). A team from the Scripps Research Institute in America have found a way to test whether someone may be at risk of type 1 diabetes. Their findings involve immune-regulating molecules called human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Researchers have previously linked their presence to a breakdown of the immune system. Blood samples taken from non-obese mice modelled to have a form of type 1 diabetes were analysed in a series of experiments over the course of five years. CD4+ T cells are immune cells that, in type 1 diabetes, can incorrectly identify the body's own insulin as a foreign agent, and bring about the destruction of the pancreas' insulin-producing beta cells. The research team discovered a structural mechanism, which they called the 'P9 switch', that enables CD4+ T cells which enables CD4+ T cells to spot the mutated HLA protein and attack the beta cells. The researchers observed that the P9 switch resulted in an anti-insulin response before it quickly disappeared. If the process is found to be the same in humans, this could allow researchers to detect type 1 diabetes very early on, which could allow for interventions to delay type 1 diabetes at an early stage. Lead researcher Luc Teyton, professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research, said: "The translational aspect of this study is what's most exciting to me. "By using single-cell technologies to study the prediabetic phase of disease, we have been able to mechanistically link specific anti-insulin T cells with the autoimmune response seen in type 1 diabetes. And that has given us the confirmation we needed to move into human studies." Prof Teyton has secured approval to conduct a study in humans that are at high risk of type 1 diabetes. The study will involve collecting blood samples and looking for early signs indicating early development of type 1 diabetes. The findings have been published in the Science Immunology journal.

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[Marie 2]

Of course a new test doesn't help with the problem of doctors not doing any test in the first place. I caught mine starting when I first woke up with a couple of 6.2 fasting levels and went into the doctors as I never tested at that level in the mornings for years before. I told the doctor I had an uncle that had died from type 1 that I was worried because I had been testing "normal" for years. I was told you are a type 2 and when I got worse also by the first endo I was sent to. No testing done even though I questioned it.

So goody for another test, but if the problem of not recognizing it's a possibility in the first place what good will it be? Automatic misdiagnosis is still rampant and needs to be addressed.

 

[Sapien]

Of course a new test doesn't help with the problem of doctors not doing any test in the first place. I caught mine starting when I first woke up with a couple of 6.2 fasting levels and went into the doctors as I never tested at that level in the mornings for years before. I told the doctor I had an uncle that had died from type 1 that I was worried because I had been testing "normal" for years. I was told you are a type 2 and when I got worse also by the first endo I was sent to. No testing done even though I questioned it.

So goody for another test, but if the problem of not recognizing it's a possibility in the first place what good will it be? Automatic misdiagnosis is still rampant and needs to be addressed.

How were you finally properly diagnosed? How high did your blood sugar go before proper diagnosis?

 

[Marie 2]

Luckily I was put on insulin fairly early, 4-5 years after the first fluctuations, long acting at first and then when my numbers kept getting worse fast acting was added. I was commonly in the range of 11-25 before a fast acting insulin was added and never felt bad from it.

I thrived once I was on both types of insulin and seemed to have escaped any problems from it. It wasn't until I switched doctors that a fast acting insulin was added and then she sent me to the new endo who was hired who tested me right away. 9 years of being misdiagnosed.

It is still aggravating to think of the fact I had a very healthy diet being as how I was a vegetarian since I was 11, and a vegan of 20 years at that point, I swam 75 laps in a gym pool 5 days a week, had an uncle that died from type 1, medications didn't help much and made me sick, but I figure because I wasn't skinny it was assumed I had to be type 2.

The old endo should have especially knew better and at least tested me when I asked about it, you know what the first GP's comment was? The medications wouldn't work at all if you were a type 1. A doctor said that and I believed her at the time.

So much misinformation out there and it's scary to think a doctor thought that.