How Is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed?

Screening People at Risk for Diabetes

Researchers are looking for reliable and inexpensive methods for identifying high-risk people who are most likely to develop diabetes. One method is by detecting specific autoantibodies that attack the body's own proteins and trigger the diabetic process. Two such targets are a beta-cell protein known as GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) and tyrosine phosphatase IA2.

Testing for antibodies to each of the proteins is not accurate, but testing them in combination may prove to be highly sensitive for identifying those at highest risk for the disease and who would require close monitoring. C-peptide is a small protein that is a natural byproduct of insulin synthesis and is deficient in type 1 diabetes. Repeated measurements of C-peptide are useful in assessing the decline in betacell functions and may target people at risk for diabetes who may benefit from experimental preventive therapies.

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