GAD results!!

[vickilr]

Hi,
Got my GAD antibody results couple days ago but now waiting a consultants appointment to discuss. Didn't get my islet cell antibody results though I think they just gave them to me as I kept asking lol. So firstly can anyone tell me if they are high enough to be type 1? They were positive 38.70 u/ml. Also it would be really interesting for me to find out what other older diagnosed type 1's results were.

A little more info if it helps diagnosed 6 weeks ago rapid onset of symptoms thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, weakness, tiredness and 10 pound weight loss in only a few weeks. HBA1c 86, BS 25 and ketones. Oh and I'm 39 😱.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Northerner]

I found this:

http://www.southend.nhs.uk/pathology-handbook/test-directory/test-directory-g-index/gad-antibodies/

So it looks like your result is a low reading (a lot less than 100 U/ml), indicating Type 1/1.5.

 

[Robin]

When I was tested ( I was diagnosed aged 50) I was just told my GAD result was positive, and I was therefore type 1. I don't think the level matters, just whether you've got any at all. I read somewhere that the longer you wait to have the test, the lower the reading is, as once the antibodies have destroyed all your islet cells, they fade away, and that having a zero score doesn't necessarily mean you are not type 1.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

When I was tested ( I was diagnosed aged 50) I was just told my GAD result was positive, and I was therefore type 1. I don't think the level matters, just whether you've got any at all.

My understanding is that testing for GAD/cPeptide and interpreting the results is a very complicated business. Many 'classic' and confirmed T2s also test positive for GAD antibodies. And as you so rightly point out, lack of antibodies doesn't prove anything either!

The best bet seems to be to a) test as soon as possible and b) screen for 2 or more antibody types to make the results clearer/easier to interpret.

Much T1 diagnosis is still best based on clinical factors in the presentation though.

The rapid weight loss and ketones would seem to suggest T1 to me, but you need the opinion of an experienced specialist really, who is used to the idea of T1 coming on outside of childhood 😉

 

[KookyCat]

I don't know my exact figures, I know my c peptide was pretty much zero, and I had two antibody tests done, one they just said was positive and the other they said was as positive as it was possible to be, but it didn't matter because I was in DKA and very obviously type 1. I think the other antibody test was serum insulin antibodies but couldn't be sure now. Btw I was 40 when diagnosed, and told my low carb diet and high activity levels were probably the reason I managed to keep going so long before ending up in a coma, so it was probably coming on for a while. I was also told I was producing white blood cells at an abnormally intensive level....which was also an indicator of autoimmune oh and I had parotitis (inflammation of the parotid glands....they were giant!) which is another sign.

Good luck with that doctor, hope she/he is open to the notion of adult diagnosis of T1 🙂

 

[Mark T]

It depends on the test lab what counts as positive and what counts as negative and what the margin of error was.

When I had mine done, the criteria was: negative < 5 U/ml, positive > 25 U/ml

My result was actually 6.5, so I was neither negative or positive 🙄

The one thing to consider is that there are a number of different markers for an anti-immune reaction and not all of them have lab tests. So being negative on GAD and ICA doesn't mean you are not Type 1.

At 38.7 if it was my consultants lab (with the positive being >25) you would definitely be suspected of being T1 and they would be following it up just in case...

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

Combined with the weight loss and the ketones, they certainly sound high enough for them to investigate further, which is what you want.

My GAD result was off the charts - greater than 2000 😱