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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Anti- GAD Elevated Levels, Moving Towards Diabetes? Next? What Now?

Just received blood test results - routine check as part of insurance policy. Fasting blood sugar normal, HBA1C 5,4%, cholesterol levels normal, C peptid normal - everything normal EXCEPT anti - GAD which was at elevated levels (was given a number of 1,14 vs 0,09 is normal, no units given). Conclusion: I may be on a slippery slope towards Diabetes 1. Is this correct - nod any advice re what to do next?
Wed, 16 Jan 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is an enzyme that is found within the islet cells of the pancreas.These are the cells that produce insulin in healthy,non diabetic individuals.there is a  report that around 70 percent of patients diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes will test positive for this antibody at the time of diagnosis.However It is important to note that this testing positive for anti-GAD antibodies does not mean that a patient does have Type 1 diabetes; furthermore, having a negative GAD antibody test does not mean that Type 1 diabetes is an incorrect diagnosis. However, a positive GAD antibody test may suggest to a physician that a patient with symptoms of high blood sugar may indeed have Type 1 diabetes.

Since your sugar levels are normal,a positive GAD test suggests that you are at risk of developing diabetes in future.Consult your doctor and get anti insulin antibodies as well as 
Islet cell antibodies estimation done,since two positive in these three tests increase the chance of developing diabetes in near future.
Thanks
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Endocrinologist Dr. Abhay Gundgurthi's  Response
Hi
U need to provide ur details in depth. Aas of now there is no recommendation to test for anti GAD antibodies in general population. Isolated anti-GAD positivity doesnt have much significance. But it can predict onset in siblings of type 1 diabetes patients. Lead a healthy life i.e. a balanced diet and regular exercise and periodic blood glucose testing. and it would be worth while to screen for other auto immune disease like thyroid disease and celiac disease.
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Anti- GAD Elevated Levels, Moving Towards Diabetes? Next? What Now?

Hello, Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is an enzyme that is found within the islet cells of the pancreas.These are the cells that produce insulin in healthy,non diabetic individuals.there is a  report that around 70 percent of patients diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes will test positive for this antibody at the time of diagnosis.However It is important to note that this testing positive for anti-GAD antibodies does not mean that a patient does have Type 1 diabetes; furthermore, having a negative GAD antibody test does not mean that Type 1 diabetes is an incorrect diagnosis. However, a positive GAD antibody test may suggest to a physician that a patient with symptoms of high blood sugar may indeed have Type 1 diabetes. Since your sugar levels are normal,a positive GAD test suggests that you are at risk of developing diabetes in future.Consult your doctor and get anti insulin antibodies as well as  Islet cell antibodies estimation done,since two positive in these three tests increase the chance of developing diabetes in near future. Thanks