Type I Diabetes Diagnostic Profile
The presence of these
autoantibodies provides early evidence of autoimmune disease activity, and
their measurement can be useful in assisting the physician with the prediction,
diagnosis, and management of patients with diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes,
commonly referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), is caused by pancreatic
beta-cell destruction that leads to an absolute insulin deficiency. The clinical
onset of diabetes does not occur until 80% to 90% of these cells have been
destroyed. Prior to clinical onset, type 1 diabetes is often characterized
by circulating autoantibodies against a variety of islet cell antigens, including
glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), tyrosine phosphatase (IA 2) and insulin.
The autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells
is thought to be the primary cause of type 1 diabetes.
Autoantibodies to
IA 2, a tyrosine phosphatase-like protein, are found in 50% to 75% of type
1 diabetics at and prior to disease onset. These autoantibodies are generally
more prevalent in younger onset patients. Because the risk of diabetes is
increased with the presence of each additional autoantibody, the positive
predictive value of the IA 2 antibody test is enhanced when measured in conjunction
with antibodies to GAD and insulin.
Private MD Lab Services
offers the following test profile to aid in the diagnosis and management of
diabetes mellitus:
TheType
I Diabetes Diagnostic Profile contains the following tests:
Antipancreatic islet cells
|
Insulin autoantibodies |
IA 2 autoantibodies |
GAD autoantibodies |
