Diagnosis & Early Detection/April 17, 2026/3 min read

Genetic Screening May Help Identify Type 1 Diabetes in Adults

A new study shows that genetic risk scores could help doctors spot Type 1 diabetes in adults who are often misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest screening tools could improve early detection and treatment.

News report, corroborated with 3 indexed studies

Evidence label explains the kind of source behind this article (for example peer-reviewed literature vs community video). It is not medical advice.

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Key takeaways

People with high genetic risk for Type 1 diabetes often develop the condition in adulthood, but may be misdiagnosed as Type 2 because of their age and weight.
Type 1 diabetes genetic risk scores can identify adults more likely to have Type 1 diabetes features, such as a faster need for insulin and lower C-peptide levels.
A substantial portion of adults with high Type 1 diabetes genetic risk never receive proper diagnostic testing or a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis code.
Genetic screening could help close the gap between who has Type 1 diabetes and who gets diagnosed with it, leading to better, faster treatment.

A Hidden Problem: Type 1 Diabetes in Adults

Type 1 diabetes is often thought of as a disease of children and young people. But new research shows that many adults develop Type 1 diabetes later in life—and most of them never know it.

A large study of over 109,000 veterans with adult-onset diabetes found that those with high genetic risk for Type 1 diabetes often had classic Type 1 features: they needed insulin quickly, had dangerously low blood sugar episodes, and showed signs of pancreas stress. Yet because they were older and heavier than the typical Type 1 patient, doctors frequently missed the diagnosis.

What the Genetic Risk Score Revealed

Researchers ranked participants by their Type 1 diabetes genetic risk score (GRS)—a measure of how many genetic variations linked to Type 1 diabetes they carried. As genetic risk increased, so did Type 1 diabetes characteristics.

People with the highest genetic risk (top 10%) were significantly more likely than low-risk groups to experience diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous condition where the body produces too much acid), require emergency care for severe low blood sugar, and develop very low blood sugar levels during routine life. They also needed to start insulin much faster—within 1.4 years of diagnosis, compared to 3.5 years in the low-risk group.

Perhaps most striking: when tested, 45% of the highest-risk group had glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies—a marker that proves the immune system is attacking the pancreas. Among the low-risk group, only 7% had these antibodies.

The Diagnosis Gap

Despite clear signs of Type 1 diabetes, a substantial portion of high-risk adults never received a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis code in their medical records. Only 28% of the highest-risk group had a documented Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, compared to 16% in the low-risk group.

This gap matters. People who don't know they have Type 1 diabetes may not receive the right insulin regimens or monitoring, leaving them at risk for serious complications.

What's Next: Using Genetics to Improve Screening

The researchers concluded that Type 1 diabetes genetic screening could be a tool to help doctors identify adults who genuinely have Type 1 diabetes, even if they don't fit the typical picture of a young, thin person.

This is not about predicting who will develop Type 1 diabetes in the future. Rather, it's about recognizing adults who already have Type 1 diabetes but have been overlooked because of age and weight. Better identification could lead to earlier, more appropriate treatment and reduce the risk of preventable complications like severe low blood sugar and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Evidence label

Origin: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC (.gov) (News report). Evidence: News report, corroborated with 3 indexed studies. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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