Diabetes Mellitus Type I is an autoimmune disease in which the beta cells of the pancreas get destroyed. The destruction goes on for about 10 years before symptoms of Diabetes or elevated blood sugars appear. Dr. Eisenbath stated ( at the 21st conference of American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and reported by Medscape) that there are commercial tests the four of these antibodies ( the islet zinc transporter (ZnT8), insulinoma associated antigen, glutamic acid decarboxylases, and insulin autoantibodies). By knowing the amount of antibody present, the number of antibodies present, as well as the age at which it is detected, scientists can predict the age of onset of Type I Diabetes. In addition to working on treatment guided by this knowledge, Dr. Eisenbart is predicting its development in the near future. In the meantime, live in hope but stay in control.
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