Lyla’s Law – Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis and Testing
If type 1 diabetes is left undiagnosed, it can get really serious, really quickly. But knowing the signs can avoid a medical emergency and save lives.
The 4Ts campaign is all about helping you spot the four most common signs of type 1 diabetes in both adults and children, and they’re really easy to remember.
- Toilet – Going for a wee more often.
- Thirsty – Non-stop thirst and drinking more than usual.
- Tired – Feeling more tired and having less energy than usual.
- Thinner – Unexplained weight loss.
Lylas Law Background
Lyla’s Law is a UK campaign advocating for mandatory routine testing for Type 1 diabetes in children showing early warning signs, inspired by the tragic death of two-year-old Lyla Story.
Background
Lyla Story, a two-year-old from Hull, United Kingdom, died in May 2025 less than 24 hours after being seen by a GP for what was initially diagnosed as tonsillitis. In reality, Lyla had undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes and developed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication caused by insufficient insulin, which led to her death. Her HbA1c level at the time was 89 mmol/mol, far above the normal range, and her ketone levels were ten times higher than the safe threshold.
Purpose of Lyla’s Law
The campaign, led by Lyla’s parents, John and Briony Story, seeks to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring routine blood or urine testing for Type 1 diabetes in children who present with common early symptoms. These symptoms, known as the “Four Ts,”
The campaign also raises the importance of:
- Improve adherence to NICE guidelines for diabetes diagnosis
- Protect young or non-verbal children who cannot advocate for themselves
- Educate healthcare professionals and families about early signs of Type 1 diabetes