Diabetes-related (islet) autoantibody testing is primarily used to help distinguish autoimmune type 1 diabetes from diabetes due to other causes. Type 1 diabetes is a condition characterized by a lack of insulin due to autoimmune processes that destroy the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is primarily associated with insulin resistance.
Determining which type of diabetes is present allows for early treatment with the most appropriate therapy to avoid complications from the disease. Type 1 diabetics must self-check their glucose levels and inject themselves with insulin several times a day to control the level of glucose in their blood. Type 2 diabetics may self-check their glucose one or more times a day. However, type 2 diabetics control their blood glucose in a variety of ways. Some can control their glucose levels with diet and exercise, others take oral medications, and some need daily insulin injections.
The four most common autoantibody tests used to distinguish between type 1 diabetes and diabetes due to other causes are summarized in the table below.