Insulin Autoantibody
Quest Diagnostics
Sample type: Serum
Requires fasting: No
Phlebotomy required
Details
Insulin Autoantibody - In patients who have not yet been treated with insulin but have symptoms suggestive of diabetes or a genetic predisposition based on family history, this test can be used to 1) distinguish among type 1 diabetes mellitus (autoimmune), type 2 diabetes mellitus, and atypical forms of diabetes, such as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA); or 2) to evaluate risk of future type 1 diabetes. This test may also be useful when evaluating patients for very rare autoimmune hypoglycemic syndrome. In patients who have already been treated with insulin, insulin autoantibodies are usually of no clinical significance. Therefore, insulin antibody testing is generally not indicated for these patients.
- Insulin Autoantibody
Estimated days for results: Results should be available in 2 - 5 business days after the sample is collected
However, in rare cases, patients with suspected type 2 diabetes who have failed hypoglycemic treatment are tested and subsequently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes [3]. This test is generally used along with other diabetes-related autoantibody tests such as GAD-65 Antibody (test code 34878) and IA-2 Antibody (test code 36177); all 3 antibodies can be ordered together as test code 10584. ZnT8 Antibody (test code 93022) may also be a useful additional test.
For patients who do not yet have clinically apparent diabetes, a higher number of positive autoantibody tests predicts a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes in the future [1]. Rarely, insulin antibodies can take on a shape that resembles insulin closely enough to stimulate the insulin receptor, leading to hypoglycemia.
The presence of insulin antibody in a hypoglycemic patient who has not previously been treated with insulin is suggestive of, but not definitive for, this rare syndrome [2]. Test results should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
1. Winter WE, et al. Clin Chem. 2011;57:168-175.
2. Censi S, et al. Ann Transl Med. 2018;6:335. doi: 10.21037/atm.2018.07.32
3. Pihoker C, et al. Diabetes. 2005;54(Suppl 2):S52-S61.
4. Wentworth JM, et al. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2009;5:483-489.
2–5 business days
Blood Draw Options with Fullscript
Fullscript offers several convenient phlebotomy options to complete your lab testing:
Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers (PSC)
- Location: Visit a nearby Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center.
- Cost: $10 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times. Walk-ins are accepted, but may experience delays. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment.
- Collection Instructions:
- Bring a valid ID.
- Bring your digital or printed requisition form, available in the Labs tab of your Fullscript account.
- Check-in: Scan the QR code from your confirmation email or follow kiosk instructions.
- More Info: Quest Diagnostics blood draw guide
Getlabs Mobile Phlebotomy
- Location: Sample collection at your home or office.
- Cost: $85 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Availability: Available in most locations – enter your ZIP code during checkout to confirm.
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here through your Fullscript account.
- Collection Instructions:
- Have your digital or printed requisition form and valid ID ready.
- Your phlebotomist will contact you by phone to coordinate arrival.
- More Info: Getlabs blood draw guide
- Preferred Specimen(s): 1 mL serum
- Alternative: NA
- Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL
- Collection Instructions: NA
- Transport Container: Transport tube
- Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
- Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 28 days
- Refrigerated: 28 days
- Frozen: 90 days
- Reject Criteria: NA
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island
