Islet autoantibodies can usually show up in your blood before and close to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. However, these antibodies are typically absent with type 2 diabetes. If you have recently received a diabetes diagnosis, our blood test can help you tell the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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What's in the test?
Autoimmunity
Islet cell antibodies
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Type 1 diabetes is a condition caused by a lack of insulin due to autoimmune processes destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. In contrast, type 2 diabetes primarily results from the body's resistance to the effects of insulin (insulin resistance) and does not involve autoimmune processes. Islet cell antibodies are diabetes-related autoantibodies produced by the immune system associated with type 1 diabetes.
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FAQs
Do islet autoantibodies cause type 1 diabetes?
No, islet autoantibodies do not cause type 1 diabetes. Islet autoantibodies are markers of an autoimmune response to the islet cells. Type 1 diabetes was previously known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes but has been re-characterized to reflect absolute insulin deficiency.
What could my results mean?
If autoimmune type 1 diabetes is present, one or more islet autoantibodies will be present in about 95% of people affected at the time of initial diagnosis. With type 2 diabetes, the autoantibodies are typically absent.
What are islet autoantibodies?
Islet autoantibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that are associated with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a condition caused by a lack of insulin due to autoimmune processes that destroy the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Islet autoantibodies can be detected in the blood before a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, are usually present at the time of diagnosis, and decrease in frequency over five to ten years following a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.