Type 1 Diabetes Blood Test | Type 1 Diabetes Antibody Test | Quest®

Type 1 Diabetes Autoantibody Screening Test

Test for 4 autoantibodies in the blood that may show increased risk for developing type 1 diabetes (T1D). Type 1 diabetes screening can help you and your healthcare provider determine whether you may be at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

Test type: In Person

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$149.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

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About the Test

This type 1 diabetes test screens for autoantibodies that have been linked to a higher risk of developing T1D. In the general population, about 90% of people diagnosed with T1D do NOT have a family history of the disease. However, people with a relative diagnosed with T1D are 15 times more likely to develop the disease. Screening of first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) of type 1 diabetics for these markers has recently been recommended by the American Diabetes Association. This could help assess a person's autoantibody status and risk for developing T1D early, while they are still asymptomatic. Early detection allows for individuals to work with their healthcare provider to potentially delay the onset of the disease with newly available treatments, avoid the severity of symptoms and serious complications (including diabetic ketoacidosis) often seen at the onset of T1D, and hopefully have fewer long-term complications from the disease.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing pancreatic beta (β) cells, which occurs in 3 stages:

Stage 1	2 or more autoantibodies present, no symptoms, normal blood sugar, immune system is already attacking β cells
Stage 2	2 or more autoantibodies present, no symptoms, abnormal blood sugar, increase in loss of β cells
Stage 3	2 or more autoantibodies present, symptoms present (see below), significant loss of β cells, clinical diagnosis usually occurs

This test may be right for you if:

You have a first degree relative (parent or sibling) who has type 1 diabetes
There is a family history of type 1 diabetes

This test may not be right for you if:

You are experiencing symptoms of type 1 diabetes (see Signs & Symptoms section below)

The four autoantibodies tested in this test panel have been linked to a higher risk of developing T1D. The presence of these markers may first appear at different ages. This test measures blood levels of the following antibodies:

Insulin autoantibody/autoantibodies to insulin (IAA) – Insulin is the most important hormone that manages your blood sugar. In children 2 years old and younger, autoantibodies to this hormone most frequently develop first
Tyrosine phosphatase IA2 (previously ICA512) - Tyrosine phosphatase is a transmembrane protein. Autoantibodies to this protein typically indicate that a person is developing T1D at a faster rate
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) – GAD65 is an enzyme present in the in β cells of the pancreas. In children ages 3-5, autoantibodies to this enzyme most frequently develop first
Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) – ZnT8 is a protein specific to making and secreting insulin in β cells. When this autoantibody result is positive, people are more likely to develop other T1D autoantibodies. If this antibody is the only single positive autoantibody, a person’s risk of developing T1D is higher than those who were only positive for IAA, GAD65, or IA2

Signs and symptoms below are typical of people that have been clinically diagnosed with T1D:

Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue/exhaustion
Cuts/sores that heal slowly
Diabetic ketoacidosis (Fruity-smelling breath, nausea, stomach pain, rapid breathing, confusion, drowsiness)

If you experience these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider to seek medical attention. If you are having symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately.

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you receive abnormal results, you will receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator to discuss next steps. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

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A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

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What is diabetes? What are the most common types? What other health conditions are associated with diabetes? Read the article to find out.

FAQs

What do I do after I get my results? Will I need to re-test?

As reported, how you proceed will depend on your results. There are three different outcomes:

0 Autoantibodies: No further action required. If no autoantibodies are found, rescreening is suggested every year until the age of 18 if other people in your family have T1D
1 Autoantibody: You are at a higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes. It is recommended to rescreen right away to confirm that there are no additional autoantibodies and rescreen every year to see if more autoantibodies develop. The ADA recommends re-screening of adults who test positive for one antibody every 3 to 5 years if they have a family history of T1D or autoimmune disease
2+ Autoantibodies: This is a strong sign that the earliest stages of type 1 diabetes may have begun. Talk to your healthcare provider about monitoring blood sugars and other next steps

As always, you should share your results with your healthcare provider, who can help you decide on next steps.²

What are antibodies and autoantibodies?

Antibodies are proteins in your blood that your body’s immune system makes when it meets something that is not supposed to be in your body, such as a virus or bacteria. This helps our body to fight off disease. Autoantibodies are also proteins in your blood, but they are made in response to our own body’s tissue. This causes our body to think of itself as a threat and tries to fight it, causing damage and keeping our body from working the right way.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease. People with T1D are insulin-dependent for life because their body no longer produces proper amounts of insulin
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease where the body still makes insulin, but it cannot effectively use the insulin (insulin resistance). T2D can often be treated through diet, exercise, and medication

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 2. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes: standards of medical care in diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(suppl 1):S20-S42. doi:10.2337/dc24-S002
Screen for Type 1. Type 1 Diabetes Resources | Screen for Type 1. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.screenfortype1.com/resources/?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tzield-DTC_GGL_NBRD_General-Unbranded+Site_CNV_SEA_ALLM_US_EN+KW+-+EN+BR_ALL&utm_term=type+1+diabetes+risk&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoJa2BhBPEiwA0l0ImLUlpUyAz-2n5hQcmN5j9pbCghJEHBQpYs1LIwoe2uf55ndLGy538BoCk48QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Lucier J, Dulebohn SC. Type 1 Diabetes. [Updated 2023 Mar 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Beyond Type 1. What is Type 1 diabetes?. Accessed March 23, 2024. https://beyondtype1.org/type-1-diabetes/
Emory School of Medicin. Stages of Type 1 | Emory School of Medicine. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://med.emory.edu/departments/pediatrics/divisions/endocrinology/research/what-is-diabetes/type-1-stages.html

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Type 1 Diabetes Autoantibody Screening Test