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Islet cell antibodies

Blood sugar and diabetes · also printed as ICA, Islet cell Ab, Anti-islet cell antibodies, Islet antibodies

Typical UK adult rangeExpected result: Negative

Negative is the expected result.

What this test measures

Islet cell antibodies are an older test for immune activity against the insulin-producing cells, read by looking at pancreas tissue under the microscope.

Why doctors request it

Now largely replaced by GAD, IA-2 and ZnT8 antibodies but still printed by some labs.

What commonly pushes it up

Autoimmune diabetes

What commonly pushes it down

A negative result is the usual finding

Everyday reasons for a value outside the range

Low-level positives occur in the general population and are read with the clinical picture
Thresholds differ between laboratories

About the sample

No fasting needed.

Written by a UK consultant physician. Typical UK adult reference ranges; your laboratory's own printed range takes precedence.

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This is an educational summary of results you uploaded. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not replace the doctor who requested the test. If you are worried, or a result is marked outside range, discuss it with your doctor. Written and reviewed by a UK consultant physician. Reference ranges vary between laboratories.