Methodology: Enzyme immunoassay. IgG specificity.

Indications: Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies are found in approximately 80% of individuals with early-onset Type 1 diabetes. GAD antibodies can be detected in some first-degree relatives of Type 1 diabetics. High levels of GAD antibodies can also be detected in stiff-man syndrome and cerebral ataxia.

Related tests: Insulin autoantibodies and IA-2 (Tyrosine phosphorylase-like) autoantibodies can also be detected in Type 1 diabetes and first-degree relatives. The presence of two or more islet cell antibodies is associated with a high incidence of the development of Type 1 diabetes within 5 - 7 years.

N.B. Requests for autoantibodies should be selective and relevant to the clinical circumstances. There is rarely any merit in requesting a particular autoantibody if there is no clinical evidence of the disease(s) with which it is associated .

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