At-home genetic screening for T1D
Know your Type 1 Diabetes risk with a painless cheek swab
No needles. No lab visits. No hassle. A simple at-home test that helps estimate whether you or a loved one may be at higher risk
Who is this for?
T1D screening is for anyone who wants to know their risk
People with a relative with T1D
Family history is one of the strongest risk indicators. A quick swab can help you understand what you may have inherited.
Parents of young children
Many T1D diagnoses occur in children without a family history. Screening can help you understand your risk
Adults curious about their own risk
The average age of T1D diagnosis is twenty-four. This test is just as relevant for adults as it is for kids.
Siblings and parents of a diagnosed person
If someone in your immediate family was recently diagnosed, your statistical risk is higher. You deserve to know.
How it works
Three steps. About five minutes.
- Step 1
Order a kit
Choose a kit for yourself or a family member. It ships directly to your door, usually within a few days.
- Step 2
Swab and send
Swab the inside of your cheek, seal the sample in the prepaid envelope, and drop it in any USPS mailbox.
- Step 3
Receive your results
Results will be in your secure portal in about 3 weeks, along with next steps that you can take.
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What your results look like
Two results. One clear picture of your risk.
T1D Scout gives you a result you can understand — and bring to your doctor.
Low risk, it doesn't suggest elevated risk.
A lower-risk result means the genetic markers we analyzed do not currently suggest elevated risk but this does not rule out T1D. If you have a family history — you may talk with your doctor about whether ongoing autoantibody monitoring is right for you.
High risk, we encourage you to discuss next steps
A higher-risk result means we found genetic markers linked to elevated T1D risk. This is not a diagnosis. If your risk is higher, we encourage you to discuss next steps with your healthcare provider.
Real families
Hear from families who have tested
“I have type 1 myself, so the idea of needles just to screen my kids was awful. With T1D Scout it was a simple saliva swab at home, done in minutes, no tears.”
“After our oldest was diagnosed, I worried about our younger son but never knew what to do about it. Screening him gave us a clear risk picture and a real plan for monitoring.”
“Screening four kids sounds like a nightmare, but the saliva test meant we did them all at home in one afternoon. Managing my own T1D, that simplicity is the only reason it got done.”
Backed by leading researchers and diabetes organizations
Get tested for peace of mind
Easy-to-use kits delivered to your door.
DNA test
Antibody testing included if results show higher type 1 diabetes risk
Access to online genetic counseling resources
Easy at-home collection
15-day lab turnaround
Frequently asked questions
Who should take this test?
Our program is specifically designed for individuals with a family history of type 1 diabetes (T1D) who want to understand their risk and access early monitoring. However, anyone who wishes to know their genetic risk may be tested, even without a known family history.
Can I register and order a test for my child?
Yes. Parents or legal guardians can create an account and register children for testing. After setting up your parent account, you will be prompted to add your child’s details. From there, you can manage their screening process, order kits, and view their results all in one secure place.
At what age should my child be screened?
Risk markers can be identified at any age, but many families choose to screen early (starting as young as age 0) to establish a baseline. More than half of children are diagnosed with T1D only after developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication. Knowing about elevated risk earlier can help families and their doctors stay alert to early signs.
Do I need a doctor's referral to get tested?
No. You can order our screening kits directly through our website without a physician's referral.
How do I collect the sample at home?
Our kits are designed for ease of use. You simply use the provided swab to collect a saliva sample, place it in the secure tube, and mail it back to us using the prepaid shipping label. No clinical visit is necessary.
Is the test painful for children?
Our initial DNA screening is completely painless and uses a simple saliva swab—no needles required. The follow-up autoantibody test does require a small finger prick to collect a few drops of blood, but this is a quick process that can be done comfortably in your own home.
How long will it take to get my results?
For both DNA and autoantibody tests, you can expect results within 2–3 weeks after our lab receives your sample.
How accurate is the DNA screening?
In our pilot study of more than 1,000 individuals with a family history of T1D, those classified as 'higher risk' were about 10-20x more likely to test positive for multiple autoantibodies than the 'lower-risk' group. These are early research findings, to be presented at the 2026 ADA conference, and have not been independently validated.
What happens if I’m classified as “high-risk”?
We provide a complementary genetic counseling session to help you understand your results. We also offer ongoing autoantibody monitoring to track T1D progression and can coordinate specialized care with an endocrinologist if necessary.
Is my genetic data private?
Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption and secure servers to protect your information. Your genetic data is de-identified before analysis and is never shared with third parties or insurance companies without your explicit consent.
Will these results affect my health insurance?
Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), health insurance companies in the U.S. are prohibited from using genetic information to deny coverage or determine premiums.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help! Please contact us at info@t1dscout.com and a member of our team will reply within 24 hours.
Start with a swab.
We will handle the rest.
Painless. At-home. Results in about 3 weeks.
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