Islet Cell Antibodies
Private Islet Cell Antibodies blood test in London for £146.99, measuring one autoimmune diabetes marker with results expected in around 3 days.
Turnaround time
3 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Islet Cell Antibodies
The Islet Cell Antibodies blood test detects autoantibodies directed against structures within the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Islet Cell Antibodies.
Type 1 diabetes develops when an autoimmune process progressively damages pancreatic beta cells, reducing the body's ability to produce Insulin.
Islet Cell Antibodies, often abbreviated to ICA, are one group of antibodies associated with this autoimmune process.
Testing can therefore contribute to investigation of autoimmune diabetes.
It may be particularly useful when the type of diabetes is uncertain or when an adult initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has features that raise suspicion of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, commonly called LADA.
A positive ICA result supports autoimmune activity against pancreatic islet cells.
It does not by itself diagnose type 1 diabetes, nor does it show exactly how much insulin-producing capacity remains.
C-Peptide provides additional information about endogenous Insulin production.
Other diabetes-associated antibodies include Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase antibodies, IA-2 antibodies, Insulin autoantibodies and ZnT8 antibodies.
Because autoimmune diabetes can involve different antibody combinations, a negative Islet Cell Antibodies result does not completely exclude an autoimmune process.
The result should be interpreted with Glucose, HbA1c, C-Peptide, symptoms and additional diabetes autoantibodies where appropriate.
What Does the Islet Cell Antibodies Test Check?
This test assesses whether an autoimmune antibody response directed against pancreatic islet cells can be detected. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Islet Cell Antibodies
Detects autoantibodies associated with immune activity against pancreatic islet cells and can support investigation of type 1 diabetes or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.
Who May Benefit From the Islet Cell Antibodies Test?
ICA testing may be useful where clinical features suggest autoimmune diabetes or where the distinction between type 1, LADA and type 2 diabetes is uncertain.
People with newly diagnosed diabetes of uncertain type - Autoantibody testing can provide information about an autoimmune cause.
Adults initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who have atypical features - LADA can initially resemble type 2 diabetes.
People whose Insulin production appears to decline unexpectedly - Autoimmune beta-cell destruction may be one possible explanation.
People with unexplained high blood glucose and other autoimmune features - ICA can contribute to wider endocrine assessment.
People with a family history of type 1 diabetes undergoing specialist assessment - Autoantibodies may be considered in selected risk-assessment pathways.
People with another autoimmune endocrine condition - Autoimmune diseases can occasionally cluster.
People with previous positive pancreatic autoantibodies - Additional antibody testing can provide further context.
People specifically advised to obtain autoimmune diabetes testing - ICA is most useful within a structured endocrine assessment.
How to Prepare
Do not stop Insulin or diabetes medication simply to influence the blood test.
Autoantibody measurement can be performed independently of fasting Glucose, although accompanying metabolic tests may have their own preparation requirements.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Islet Cell Antibodies Test
Autoimmune diabetes symptoms result primarily from rising blood glucose and declining Insulin production rather than from the antibodies themselves.
Persistent excessive thirst - Hyperglycaemia can increase thirst.
Frequent urination - High Glucose can cause increased urinary fluid loss.
Unintentional weight loss - Insufficient effective Insulin can impair normal energy utilisation.
Persistent fatigue - High Glucose and reduced cellular energy availability can contribute.
Blurred vision - Significant changes in blood Glucose can temporarily affect vision.
Repeated infections with hyperglycaemia - Elevated Glucose can increase susceptibility to selected infections.
Rapid deterioration after a presumed type 2 diabetes diagnosis - Autoimmune diabetes may require consideration.
Falling C-Peptide with uncertain diabetes classification - Autoimmune beta-cell loss can reduce endogenous Insulin production.
Vomiting, abdominal pain, deep or rapid breathing, marked dehydration, drowsiness or fruity-smelling breath in a person with high Glucose can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis and requires emergency medical assessment.
Do not wait for an antibody result if acute type 1 diabetes or ketoacidosis is suspected.
How to Book Your Islet Cell Antibodies Test
Private Islet Cell Antibodies testing can be booked when autoimmune diabetes requires investigation or clarification.
Choose the Islet Cell Antibodies
Select the individual autoimmune diabetes blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where appropriate.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum is analysed for Islet Cell Antibodies.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted with Glucose, HbA1c, C-Peptide and other diabetes autoantibodies.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current London Blood Tests turnaround for Islet Cell Antibodies is approximately 3 days after laboratory receipt.
This is a specialist immunology investigation rather than a routine Glucose or HbA1c measurement.
The specimen undergoes antibody analysis, quality-control procedures and laboratory authorisation before reporting.
Turnaround begins from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the day on which your blood is collected.
Specialist repeat analysis can occasionally extend the expected timeframe.
Understanding Your Results
A negative result means Islet Cell Antibodies were not detected according to the laboratory's assay criteria.
This makes ICA-positive autoimmune activity less likely but does not completely exclude autoimmune diabetes.
Other antibodies such as GAD, IA-2 or ZnT8 may still be present.
A positive result supports an autoimmune response against pancreatic islet cells.
In a person with hyperglycaemia, declining Insulin production or an uncertain diabetes type, this can provide important diagnostic information.
The result does not show how much pancreatic beta-cell function remains.
C-Peptide is more useful for assessing endogenous Insulin secretion.
The final interpretation should therefore consider the antibody result alongside metabolic measurements and clinical presentation.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
The test provides specialist information when diabetes may have an autoimmune rather than purely metabolic cause.
Autoimmune diabetes marker - Detects antibodies associated with pancreatic islet-cell autoimmunity.
Useful in uncertain diabetes classification - Can help distinguish autoimmune diabetes from typical type 2 diabetes.
Relevant to LADA assessment - Particularly useful in selected adults with atypical diabetes.
Complements C-Peptide - Autoimmunity and endogenous Insulin production can be assessed separately.
Can be combined with other diabetes antibodies - GAD and other markers may provide additional information.
Specialist laboratory analysis - Testing is performed through an immunology pathway.
Private blood collection - Professional phlebotomy can be arranged.
Clear pricing - The Islet Cell Antibodies test costs £146.99.
Private Islet Cell Antibodies Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Islet Cell Antibodies testing in London for people undergoing assessment of possible autoimmune diabetes.
The test costs £146.99 and measures 1 biomarker.
Results are expected approximately 3 days after laboratory receipt.
A positive or negative result should be interpreted with Glucose, HbA1c, C-Peptide and other autoimmune diabetes markers rather than used as a standalone diabetes diagnosis.