ANTI ISLET CELL ANTIBODY

Anti-islet cell antibodies were the pioneering autoantibodies linked to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Instead of just targeting insulin-producing cells, they react with the entirety of the islet cells. Initially evident in about 90% of individuals upon IDDM diagnosis, these antibodies often diminish, sometimes vanishing before or shortly after diagnosis. They’re notably more prevalent among relatives of those diagnosed with IDDM. In the realm of diagnosis, these anti-islet cell antibodies hold significant importance for identifying type 1 diabetes. Initially prevalent in roughly 90% of cases at diagnosis, they tend to decrease over time, particularly without concurrent multi-endocrine disorders. Additionally, their occurrence is less frequent among non-diabetic relatives. Crucially, they serve as pivotal markers, highlighting early signs of anti-islet cell autoimmunity, often surfacing before noticeable clinical symptoms emerge.