Glossary

A blood test used tocheck for diabetes‑related autoantibodies and identify early‑stage type 1 diabetes.

A disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells instead of protecting it from infections. Type 1 diabetes is an example, but there are many more.

Cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Autoimmune attack destroys them in type 1 diabetes.

A serious and potentially life‑threatening condition that can occur when type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed in time. Early detection significantly reduces the risk of DKA.

Treatments designed to slow the progression of type 1 diabetes, potentially delaying the need for insulin.

In the setting of early-stage type 1 diabetes dysglycemia refers to blood sugar levels that are not fully within the normal range, but not constistently too high to cause symptoms.

Early-stage type 1 diabetes is sometimes also called presymptomatic T1D, so it appears before symptoms appear. At this stage, damage to insulin‑producing cells has started, but symptoms of high blood sugar levels, such as frequent urination, increased thirst and weight loss, are still not present.

Having a relative with type 1 diabetes, which increases (but does not determine) the risk of developing the disease.

A blood sugar measurement taken after not eating for several hours.

Regular check‑ups and testing for people who screen positive, to detect changes early and support families over time.

Sugar in the blood that fuels your body. Too much or too little can cause serious health issues.

A blood test that shows average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.

A hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose (sugar) enter the body’s cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar rises dangerously.

Proteins made by the immune system that mistakenly target the body’s own cells. In type 1 diabetes, the presence of 2 or more different type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies indicates that an individual will develop the disease.

Normal blood sugar levels.

A test that measures how the body handles glucose over time after drinking a sugary liquid. It is sometimes used to detect dysglycemia in early‑stage type 1 diabetes.

An organ in the body that produces insulin and helps regulate blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes, beta cells from the pancreas are destroyed.

A screening result showing the presence of diabetes‑related autoantibodies. This does not mean immediate illness, but signals early stage type 1 diabetes.

Testing people who do not have symptoms to identify early signs of a disease, in this case, type 1 diabetes. General population screening refers to testing offered to individuals from the general population, not only to those with a family history of type 1 diabetes.

Two or more diabetes‑related autoantibodies are detected, with normal blood sugar levels and no symptoms.

Autoantibodies are present and blood sugar levels are not fully within the normal range, but not constistently too high to cause symptoms.

The symptomatic stage,when blood sugar levels are high and insulin treatment is needed.

Common signs include frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision.

An autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the insulin‑producing cells in the pancreas. It usually develops in childhood or young adulthood, but can appear at any age.