TrialNet blood draw
I must confess, I have avoided this TrialNet study like the plague for years. My first thoughts about it were, do I really want to know this information? I sort of equated it to genetic studies for Alzheimers- I don’t want to know if my future holds that, would you?
I personally have type 1 diabetes diagnosed at age 13 and a daughter diagnosed at age 5. My hesitancy gave way at the JDRF walk this weekend. We tested my oldest daughter with TrialNet and here’s why… It’s not just about information received, but rather about detection, prevention and intervention.
Identifying risk factors, preventing and delaying this disease is incredibly important. TrialNet leads this process by screening relatives of those who have type 1 diabetes. According to TrialNet statistics, there is a 15% increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes when you have a relative with it. Age restrictions do apply for the study, see the patient fact sheet for more information.
There are an impressive amount of participants engaged this study- over 100,000!
What is TrialNet?
According to TrialNet, “TrialNet is a network of 18 Clinical Centers working in cooperation with screening sites throughout the United States, Canada, Finland, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. This network is dedicated to the study, prevention, and early treatment of type 1 diabetes.”
The research areas are as follows:
- Pathway to Prevention Study: “This study will enable us to learn more about risk factors associated with the development of type 1 diabetes.”
- Diabetes Prevention Studies: “These studies will test therapies that may delay or prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.”
- Diabetes Intervention Studies: “These studies will test therapies to preserve insulin producing cells in people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.”
Under this structural framework, multiple studies are underway concurrently.
Why do they draw my blood?
The TrialNet study begins with identifying potential participants, completing paperwork and having a blood sample drawn. Researchers are looking to see if you have autoantibodies in your blood.
Study Findings-
If your tests are negative or positive it doesn’t mean that you will or will not develop type 1 diabetes. However, the study will filter you in different directions based on your testing results. If your results are negative you are notified by a letter. They continue to encourage repeat yearly screening under age 18.
With positive results expect a phone call. TrialNet requests continued involvement in the study through periodic screenings with blood work. You may also be offered the opportunity to participate in other studies to delay or prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.
- Over 95% of people tested have negative results
- Only 3-4 people out of every 100 tested will have the antibodies.
- Children under 18 years of age who do not have the antibodies can be retested every year to see if their risk has changed.
- If your blood test shows that you have the antibodies, we will invite you to have further blood tests at a study center. These will tell us if you can join a prevention study.
~According to TrialNet
Where do I start?
Complete TrialNet’s online screening or call them at 1-800-HALT-DM1 (1-800-425-8361)
Follow this link for the participant fact sheet to learn more about TrialNet
Who funds TrialNet?
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- The National Center for Research Resources at the NIH, which provides support through its General Clinical Research Centers (GCRC) Program.
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF).
- American Diabetes Association (ADA) ~ According to TrialNet