Hi my three year old has diabetes (My 7 and one year old do not) - can you get the non diabetes kids tested to see if they have the gene for diabetes? My 7 year old is in the throes of a crazy allergic reaction hives all over her body (to what we don't know yet) and I am concerned because my three year old had terrible eczema all over her legs and arms for 6 months before she was diagnosed - since she was diagnosed her eczema is only on the back of one knee - looking back I wonder if that was a sign of her immune system overreacting. Of course I will be testing my 7 year old and keeping an eye out but I was wondering if there was a test to see if she is susceptible. My three year old is the only diabetic (type 1 or 2) on both sides of the family.
Check TrialNet. They check for antibodies and will do rechecks every year. It does not cost anything being that they have a first degree relative with Type 1.
i don´t know how it is in your country but here in finland testeing works, our D-kids twince sister have low blodsugars often but no dianetes, she was tested before first lows came.
and other kids are tested ´cos we are in testing program about diabetes, but “sister” was tested on her own time.
hope your three old get well and i wish to you also many sunny days and be strong.
Yes you can. Ask your endocrinologist about it. At the Barbara Davis Center in Denver they have done several studies in the past where they would screen your child for free (as a part of the TrialNet study). Even if they are not actively recruiting now, the test is still available.
Yes, you can, through TrialNet. But…having the antibodies is no guarantee that he/she will develop T1, but indicates an increased risk of developing T1. Unfortunately, NOT having them is no guarantee that your kids won’t develop T1 antibodies later. It’s still a great idea to do it, because they’ll likely use the information gained from TrialNet for other important research. My husband and I gave blood for TrialNet too.
Thanks everyone for your replies - I have requested info from trial net - sounds like they have a hospital about 45 min from here - will get my kids, husband and myself tested - will see about the girls’ cousins too.
You can get them tested for the autoantibodies through TrialNet, like others have said, but this does not test for the genetic predisposition. My dd was tested at birth for the genetic predisposition through the DEW-IT study in Washington State, being run by the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute. I don’t think that particular study is still going on, and I haven’t seen any other studies that test specifically for the genetics.
JoAnn
dd#1 - 12 y.o., non-D
dd#2 - 8 y.o., dx’d 12/24/2007, pumping since 4/2008 (now on MM 523 Revel), CGMSing since 8/2008.
When we found out that my dd had the autoantibodies there was nothing we could do, but now TrialNet has some prevention trials going on, I think using oral insulin. That’s the only reason we were able to convince our older (non-D) daughter to participate in TrialNet.
There are trials that aim to prevent disease onset and others that aim to extend the ability to produce insulin.
Look at clinicaltrial.gov
here are a few: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?recr=Open&type=Intr&c… http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00419562
Our daughter(diag. at 3yo) now turning 4 is to young for all these studies (I think).
We spoke with a kid at the JDRF Denver walk last year who was able to retain Beta cell function for a long time. I think he was in the oral insulin trial.
