Islet Cell Antibody Screen

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231949, Beaker: ISLET CELL, Quest: 36741

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.
Also acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL serum, refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Gross hemolysis.
• Grossly lipemic.
• Grossly icteric.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 2.0 mL serum, refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 48 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 6 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Monday – Saturday.
Results available in 3-7 days.

Reference Range

Islet Cell Antibody Screen:  Negative
Islet Cell Antibody Titer:  <5 JDF units

Test Methodology

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Clinical Utility

Islet Cell Antibody Screen with Reflex to Titer – Type 1 diabetes is characterized by lymphocytic cell infiltrate of the pancreatic islets. Measurement of GAD-65, ICA-512, and Insulin Antibody is a highly sensitive means to assess risk and predict onset of Type 1 diabetes. There is a correlation between the number of positive antibodies and the antibody titers versus the severity of the autoimmune process.

CPT Codes

86341

Contacts

Last Updated

11/19/2025