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A home test costing £69 is now available for purchase in the UK to predict an individual’s risk for developing type 1 diabetes.
From March 7, individuals can reserve the finger prick test kit through Randox’s website for diagnostic purposes.
The product will also be sold at specific John Lewis locations and can be obtained through Randox Health clinics for the price of £89.
The exam, developed by researchers from the University of Exeter, has the ability to detect 10 genetic variations associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes.
The experts suggested that individuals deemed to be at a heightened risk should receive precedence for additional testing.
There are an estimated 344,000 individuals in the UK who have type 1 diabetes, with a significant number of cases going undiagnosed due to delayed symptom recognition.
Researchers at the University of Exeter and Randox have created a biochip to detect individuals who may be susceptible to type 1 diabetes.
This condition is characterized by the immune system erroneously targeting and destroying the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin.
Some genes are believed to be linked to the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, but possessing these genes alone is insufficient to trigger the onset of this condition.
The scientists suggested that individuals who receive high scores on the examination may want to undergo additional autoantibody testing to confirm a diagnosis.
Samples of blood collected from self-administered tests can be sent back to Randox’s labs for analysis. There, the company employs a biochip, co-created with researchers from the University of Exeter, to detect the specific genetic variations associated with a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
John Lewis department store
An algorithm is then used to calculate a genetic risk score, which may identify people at high risk of developing the disease.
Experts suggest that recognizing individuals with a high likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes could potentially aid in the early treatment of the condition using specific medications like teplizumab. While this drug has not yet been cleared for use in the UK, it has been approved for use in the US.
According to Professor Richard Oram, a diabetes specialist at the University of Exeter, there is growing recognition of the importance of type 1 diabetes screening programs due to the development of new medications that are most effective in the early stages of the disease.
He stated: “The Randox biochip may assist in expediting decisions on individuals who require further monitoring and testing, resulting in cost-effective public health screenings and enhancing lives by enhancing access to treatment.”
Dr. Lucy Chambers, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, expressed her enthusiasm regarding how research backed by Diabetes UK has contributed to the creation of a groundbreaking tool for identifying individuals at a high risk for type 1 diabetes.
There are upcoming treatments that can delay or prevent type 1 diabetes, but their success depends on finding reliable ways to identify individuals who are at a higher risk.
“We are committed to funding research on type 1 screening and are excited about new developments that could enhance quality of life.”
The managing director of Randox, Dr Peter FitzGerald, stated that this test will greatly impact the way type 1 diabetes is diagnosed and treated. They are eager to make this test available to both public and private healthcare providers worldwide.
The scientists also aim to obtain NHS approval for the test to determine the specific type of diabetes a person has.
They mentioned that they are collaborating with partners, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, to evaluate the potential of a genetic risk score test for type 1 diabetes in conducting population screening through the NHS.
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