A Simple Way to Prevent Misdiagnosing Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes

In fact, check these facts:

• More than 50% of new T1D cases develop in adults
• Meanwhile, about 38% of adults with T1D are first misdiagnosed with T2D

That’s why this test kit from Genomelink will be a game changer — allowing clinicians to easily confirm the type of diabetes before establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan.

How it Works

It’s all about your DNA. The Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Screening Kit from T1D Strong (owned by Genomelink) can accurately identify the type of diabetes you have based on your DNA.

Past research has well-established the genetics behind type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This research first focused on screening newborns for T1D, but the genes it looks for apply regardless of age.

The T1D Strong screening kit is remarkably easy: it just asks for a bit of your saliva!

“Based on your DNA, we can determine exactly what type of diabetes you have,” explains CEO and Cofounder Yuta Matsuda. “And yes, some people can have type 1 along with severe insulin resistance, but the DNA test will still identify T1D to ensure a proper treatment plan.”

While there are genes that point to T1D versus T2D, research has also identified certain genes that are present in those most commonly misdiagnosed, too. 

This groundbreaking DNA test is already under discussion with the FDA review team and has completed the initial pre-submission. It is anticipated to be approved in 2026.

It has also garnered significant attention from the American Diabetes Association, having been selected as a finalist for their 2024 Innovation Challenge. Diabetes Center Berne also selected T1D Strong’s DNA testing as one of the top 20 finalists in its Open Innovation Challenge 2024. 

Genomelink is no stranger to DNA testing technology. Their DNA analysis tools take testing like 23andMe and AncestryDNA to the next level — providing a much deeper dive into your genetic background and health.

What about autoantibody testing?

Yes, a person can have their blood drawn in a lab to test for autoantibodies and c-peptide levels — both of which can identify the type of diabetes, but there are problems with this approach. In fact, autoantibody testing can be done at home, too. 

However, the misdiagnosis of T2D in people with T1D starts at the hospital with a doctor.

The problems with relying on autoantibody and C-peptide tests include:

• Doctors aren’t ordering these tests because they don’t know they’ve misdiagnosed the patient.
• C-peptide level testing is very expensive.
• Autoantibody testing is very expensive.
• Autoantibody testing complicated — there is no easy box to check for a full T1D antibody panel. The doctor must already be highly knowledgeable on autoantibody testing to then go find each type of autoantibody to screen for.
• The results aren’t explicit: C-peptide levels can wane slowly, making it less clear which type of diabetes the patient has. In T1D, not everyone tests positive for all autoantibodies.

A simpler method is necessary!

Yes, a type 2 misdiagnosis is a big deal.

You might think, “Well, as long as they get the tools to get their blood sugar down, does it really matter what type it is?”

Yes, it matters.

In many misdiagnosis stories, you’ll hear the person with diabetes describe years of frustration and shame while they watch their blood sugars climb. Their doctor might start them on metformin and suggest certain lifestyle changes. But nothing they do seems like enough. 

Their doctor tells them to try harder. Shame, confusion, and frustration ensue. When more intense medication options are suggested — like GLP-1s or insulin — that shame only grows thanks to the stigma that needing medication means you’ve failed to manage your diabetes “naturally.”

Meanwhile, their blood sugar levels are still high. The blood vessels in their eyes, fingertips, kidneys, and toes are all enduring that slow but very real damage. They are frustrated. And, of course, they don’t feel well.

With the rates of both types of diabetes rising, getting an accurate diagnosis is critical!