Meet the Virginia Dad Advocating for Type 1 Diabetes Screening

Steven Zortman’s daughter was only three years old when she ended up in the emergency room for diabetic ketoacidosis. That was how he learned that she had type 1 diabetes (T1D). And that was how Steve started down a path of learning to advocate for his daughter, his son, and himself, all of whom would eventually be diagnosed with T1D.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes, often called T1D, is an autoimmune condition in which the body can’t make insulin, or can’t make enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar (glucose) get into cells to be used for energy. When your body doesn’t have enough insulin, glucose can’t get into the cells. 

The result is that your cells don’t have enough energy and your blood glucose goes up. If this condition isn’t managed, it can cause severe illness and death. Luckily, T1D can be managed, usually by monitoring blood glucose levels and taking insulin every day. 

However, before type 1 diabetes can be managed, it has to be diagnosed. That’s where Steve comes in.

The Importance of Proactive Type 1 Diabetes Screening 

After his daughter’s diagnosis, Steve was committed to being proactive about his family’s health. “I learned about T1D-related autoantibody screening through studies and research when I was training to be a diabetes nurse educator—the career that eventually brought me to Charlottesville,” he explains. “Having a child diagnosed with T1D when they’re in the hospital for DKA is a really stressful situation. That was our experience with [my daughter] Riley’s diagnosis, and I wanted to make sure that, if possible, we could reduce the risk of that for our other children.” 

During his studies, Steve learned that a simple blood test can be used to screen for T1D-related autoantibodies. Steve’s son was later diagnosed with T1D using this test before he showed any symptoms, preventing any medical emergencies like diabetic ketoacidosis. 

“The difference was like night and day,” says Steve, comparing his son’s diagnosis to his daughter’s. “We were able to take Andrew for diabetes education in an outpatient setting and closely monitor for the onset of symptoms earlier in his disease. When he eventually progressed to Stage 3 and needed to begin daily insulin, that was a smoother transition because we were well prepared for it.”

Why Dads Need to Prioritize Their Own Health 

Three years after his children were diagnosed with T1D, Steve was mistakenly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disorder in which the body produces enough insulin but can’t use it efficiently. However, his body didn’t respond to treatment.

“It wasn’t until I asked to be screened for T1D-related autoantibodies that I got a correct diagnosis,” says Steve. Because of his experience with his children’s diagnoses, he was able to advocate for himself. 

Now, Steve works in diabetes education and management. He encourages other dads to get educated about type 1 diabetes symptoms and screening so they can care for themselves and their families. 

Data shows that over 16% of Virginia adults between the ages of 18 and 25 with type 1 diabetes experience DKA, compared to just under 13% nationally.

To Steve, this highlights the importance of early screening, especially for men. As many as 55% of adult men don’t get regular checkups. This means they’re missing out on conversations and diagnostic screening that could mean the difference between early detection and a life-threatening medical emergency. It also means they could be missing vital health information that impact their families as well.

“As a dad, one of my greatest fears is missing an opportunity to protect my family’s health and wellbeing. Having been through the process of T1D screening for both me and my children, I believe it’s an extremely meaningful tool,” says Steve.

“I want Charlottesville families to recognize that they might have more tools than they realize when it comes to their health and the health of their family.”

Where to Learn More About Type 1 Diabetes Screening in Roanoke

To learn more about screening for type 1 diabetes, talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician. Steve’s story comes out of Charlottesville, where UVA Health and Sentara Martha Jefferson offer local diabetes care. Roanoke Valley families have similar resources closer to home: Carilion Children’s runs a dedicated pediatric endocrinology department that treats children with diabetes and hormone disorders, and Carilion Clinic offers a separate diabetes management program for adults. Ask your pediatrician for a referral, or start with Carilion’s website to find a provider near you.

“I hope my family’s story helps people see that a T1D diagnosis is just one part of your story,” says Steve. “With T1D, you can still plan for a future that’s uniquely yours.”

Sources and Further Reading

Cleveland Clinic Survey Reveals Men’s Top Health Concerns as They Age (Cleveland Clinic Newsroom)

Type 1 Diabetes (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Originially published in CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine.

KATHARINE PALJUG is a freelance writer and novelist who lives in Charlottesville with two busy kids. She is a big fan of public libraries, homemade muffins, and inclusive spaces for queer families.