Important Health Information: Understanding Type 1 Diabetes Risk and Screening

Posted Date: 10/01/25 (11:22 AM)

Urgent Health Information: Understanding and Screening for Type 1 Diabetes

Young boy pointing to the words: Know the Ages. Know the Risk. Screen for Type 1 Diabetes.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are sharing important health information regarding Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) screening for children. T1D is a serious, lifelong autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to destroy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The body then can't control blood sugar on its own. Without management, this leads to serious and life-threatening complications.

T1D is not preventable through diet or lifestyle changes, unlike Type 2 diabetes. It often starts between ages 4–6 or 10–14, but it can happen at any age.

Why Early Screening Matters

While T1D cannot be prevented, early detection is critical. A simple, low-to-no-cost blood test screens for autoantibodies—proteins that signal the disease process.

Screening can:

Reduce Risk: Reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and hospitalization.
Plan Ahead: Help your family plan and manage a potential diagnosis and treatment strategy.
Identify Stage: Identify the condition's stage, potentially before the need for insulin.

Common Symptoms (Indicate Advanced Stage)

If your child exhibits any of these, contact a healthcare provider immediately:

Increased thirst or hunger
Increased urination/bedwetting
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Irritability/behavioral changes
Fruity-smelling breath
Blurred vision

Free Screening Resources

Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about screening options. You can also use these free resources:

Autoimmunity Screening for Kids (ASK): Provides free at-home screening test kits to children starting at age 1.(AskHealth.org)
TrialNet: Offers screenings and free home test kits for relatives of people with T1D. (TrialNet.org)

Understanding the Results

Positive (2 or more autoantibodies): The disease process has begun (Stage 1 or 2). Talk to your provider about confirmatory testing and establishing a monitoring plan.
Negative (0–1 autoantibodies): Rescreening yearly may be considered if your child is under age 15.

For more information about diabetes and resources for assistance, please visit the Florida Department of Health.