Could Gluten Impact HbA1c Levels?

HbA1c Test

Researchers know that type 1 diabetes involves the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying insulin-producing beta cells, and that this can be affected by autoantibodies and antibodies. However, the body produces antibodies in response to many diseases, including celiac disease.

In a recent study, researchers explored the relationship between patients with celiac disease achieving antibody-negativity versus staying antibody-positive and the potential impact on type 1 diabetes. When individuals with celiac disease stop eating gluten, the body stops producing specific antibodies that react to gluten. Tight management of the disease may produce antibody-negative results during testing. If the person continues to eat some gluten, they will remain antibody-positive.

Scientists compared 608 pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and biopsy-proven celiac disease with 26,833 patients with T1D only. They found that those patients with both diseases who remained antibody-negative had lower HbA1c levels than those who were antibody-positive. The study also showed that, compared to patients with only T1D, those who had both celiac disease and T1D and were antibody-negative had lower total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and frequency of dyslipidemia as well.

Though more research is necessary, achieving constant antibody-negative status may be associated with improved metabolic control and growth and have an impact on HbA1c levels. This could lead the way to advancements in treatment options for individuals with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes and perhaps type 1 diabetes alone as well.

Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) stays abreast of the latest developments in the field and supports early career scientists in pursuing peer-reviewed, novel research studies on type 1 diabetes. It is through these types of projects that researchers learn more about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this disease and move closer toward finding a cure. Learn more about current projects and how to support these efforts by visiting https://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

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