Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 6-9 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection – Identify autoimmune activity years before type 1 diabetes symptoms appear
- Family screening – Monitor risk if you have relatives with type 1 diabetes
- Diabetes classification – Distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes accurately
- No doctor visit – Order directly without physician referral for convenient testing
- Prevention opportunity – Qualify for diabetes prevention clinical trials and interventions
- Peace of mind – Get definitive answers about your diabetes risk status
Who Is This Test For?
- First-degree relatives of people with type 1 diabetes
- Individuals with unexplained high blood sugar levels
- People needing to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Those with family history seeking proactive health monitoring
- Candidates interested in diabetes prevention research studies
- Anyone experiencing early diabetes symptoms but unclear type
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
Order your test – Purchase online and visit any lab location nationwide
Provide blood sample – Quick blood draw with no fasting or special preparation
Get results – Receive secure, confidential results within 6-9 business days
FAQ
What exactly does this test measure? This test detects antibodies your immune system produces against insulin or insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
How accurate is this test? The radioimmunoassay method used has superior disease-specificity compared to standard ELISA methods (PubMed 1992).
Will insulin medication affect my results? Yes, perform this test before starting insulin or within 1-2 weeks of beginning treatment for accurate results.
What happens if my test is positive? A positive result indicates autoimmune activity and suggests increased risk of type 1 diabetes requiring follow-up testing.
Can this test prevent diabetes? While it can't prevent diabetes, early detection enables lifestyle modifications and potential clinical trial participation.
How long do results take? Results are typically available within 6-9 business days after sample collection.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The IAA test measures antibodies that target insulin or insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This blood test detects autoimmune activity that occurs early in the process leading to type 1 diabetes, often appearing years before clinical symptoms develop (American Diabetes Association 2024). The test provides valuable predictive information and helps distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in newly diagnosed patients.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for first-degree relatives of individuals with type 1 diabetes, as they have significantly higher risk of developing the condition. It also benefits people with unexplained hyperglycemia, individuals showing early signs of diabetes but unclear type, and those interested in participating in diabetes prevention research (Consensus Guidance Group 2024). Healthcare providers may also recommend this test to assess insulin resistance unexplained by typical type 2 diabetes patterns.
When should I order Insulin Autoantibodies (IAA)?
Order this test if you have a family history of type 1 diabetes, unexplained high blood sugar levels, or need to determine whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The test should ideally be performed before starting insulin therapy or within 1-2 weeks of beginning treatment for accurate results (UF Health 2025). Consider testing if you're experiencing symptoms like frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or persistent fatigue.
How do I interpret the results?
Result Range: <95 nU/mL (Negative)
- What it means: No detectable insulin autoantibodies
- Typical action: Continue routine health monitoring
Result Range: 95–124 nU/mL (Indeterminate)
- What it means: Possible autoimmune activity
- Typical action: Consider additional testing and monitoring
Result Range: >125 nU/mL (Positive)
- What it means: Insulin autoantibodies present
- Typical action: Consult endocrinologist for evaluation
When multiple autoantibodies are present, lifetime risk of developing type 1 diabetes approaches 100% (TZIELD 2025).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before this test, making it convenient for any time of day. Avoid receiving radioactive isotopes for 24 hours before blood collection. If you're currently taking insulin, inform your healthcare provider as this may affect results (Walk-In Lab 2025). No other special preparations are necessary.
How often should I get tested?
Circumstance: Family history, negative results
- Suggested interval: Every 2–3 years
Circumstance: Single positive autoantibody
- Suggested interval: Every 6–12 months
Circumstance: Multiple autoantibodies present
- Suggested interval: Every 3–6 months
Circumstance: High-risk individuals
- Suggested interval: As recommended by specialist
Why early detection matters
Early detection of insulin autoantibodies provides crucial advantages for managing your health. Approximately 50% of children with new-onset type 1 diabetes have detectable insulin autoantibodies, and when individuals test positive for multiple islet autoantibodies, nearly 70% develop type 1 diabetes within 10 years (ADA Standards of Care 2024). This early warning allows for lifestyle modifications, participation in prevention clinical trials, and closer monitoring before symptoms appear.
Related tests you may consider
Zinc Transporter 8 Antibody Blood Test– Evaluates your risk for developing type 1 diabetes and confirm a diagnosis.
Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Autoantibody Blood Test – Detects autoantibodies that target insulin-producing pancreatic cells to help confirm the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and evaluate the need for insulin treatment.
Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c Blood Test – Calculates the average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, making it an ideal diagnostic tool for diabetes management.
