Type 1 and Covid Research

[Rory Delap's Long Throw]

I had a search and couldn't see a thread on this, but had read a number of articles that highlighted the continuing research into long covid, the rise of type 1 diagnosis in those that had covid, and possible link between auto-immune responses after having covid.

bbc article
Before the pandemic, the incidence rate of childhood type 1 diabetes was already increasing - by about 3% a year. The recent study found: there was a 14% rise in the rate during the first year of the pandemic, compared to before Covid in the second year of Covid, the rate was up about 27% on pre-pandemic levels

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-04-08...blood-that-could-lead-to-successful-treatment
Researchers found that, compared to patients who had fully recovered, those with long Covid showed a pattern of immune system activation indicating inflammation of myeloid cells and activation of a family of immune system proteins called the complement system.

I find it fascinating that (possibly) covid could trigger some sort of immune response that might link to type 1 or long covid. The reason I looked in to this was because thinking back I had covid for the first and only time last summer 2023, before diagnosed with type 1 after months of symptoms this March 2024. Clearly more research is needed to confirm any possible link, but feels significant in terms of timeline.
Has anyone else had a bout of covid and then been diagnosed months later?

 

[Inka]

I don’t think a link has been proven @Rory Delap's Long Throw Type 1 takes a while to develop. I know they were concerned about Covid triggering Type 1 in children, but I don’t think that was proven. There’s some general information here:

Is COVID-19 Causing Type 1 Diabetes?

There’s so much we don’t know about COVID-19 that will take years to research and learn. One big question: can COVID cause type 1 diabetes?

beyondtype1.org

.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I know they were concerned about Covid triggering Type 1 in children, but I don’t think that was proven.

I have the same impression. There have certainly been news stories suggesting it but they don't seem to go anywhere after some initial results, suggesting there might not be anything significant happening.

 

[SB2015]

A severe illness can often trigger a diagnosis of T1. The destruction of the beta cells may have started a year or so before, and then when ill, glucose levels rise and more insulin is needed. The remaining beta cells are put under additional stress and asked to do even more and just give in and cannot produce what is needed. This can then lead to DKA and a diagnosis of T1. With the prevelance of COVID this might account for some of the increase in diagnoses. (Not at all scientific in my description)

 

[helli]

It is a common hypothesis, way before anyone mentioned covid, that viruses can trigger Type 1. I believe it kicks off a dormant reaction.
This appeared to be what happened to me - I had a glandular virus a couple of months before my diagnosis.

I believe this is likely to account for many of the new Type 1 diagnosis following covid. Whilst there is a more virulent virus present being caught by more people, it makes sense more people are going to experience this.