09/18/2026
TRUE. 💙
Most people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes have no family history of the disease.
Neither did Dr. Benson’s daughter.
This little wave was from a hospital bed shortly after T1D suddenly became part of her family’s story.
For many families, the first warning of Type 1 diabetes is when a child becomes sick — sometimes critically sick. But T1D can actually be detected before symptoms begin by screening for islet autoantibodies.
And the conversation around screening is changing.
New international consensus guidance supported by Breakthrough T1D recommends moving toward screening children in the general population — not just children considered “high risk” because of family history. Experts recommend beginning screening around ages 2–4, with repeat screening later in childhood. Early detection can significantly reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis and give families time to prepare. (Breakthrough T1D)
As family physicians — and in Dr. Benson’s case, now as a T1D parent — this one hits close to home.
“It doesn’t run in our family” doesn’t mean your child isn’t at risk.
Awareness matters. Screening matters. And hopefully, fewer families will have to learn about Type 1 diabetes for the first time from a hospital room. 💙