GAD antibodies/TYPE I

kel4han · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2007, 10:19 PM

If you have positive GAD antibodies that means you are without a doubt type I right??? At diagnosis I also had Low c-peptide >1. I dont know why I am always in doubt of this crazy onset of diabetes. I guess becuase I was 28yrs old when diagnosed and had borderline gestational diabetes with both my preganacies. Some say that would indicate TYPE 2. I dont understand why I had the excessive thirst and fatigue since the age of 19 (after my 1st preganancy) but it took 9 years to be full diabetic. I was tested every year as each year I complained more of thirst and fatigue. BS was always normal, though I never did GTT except when pregnant. I have always been under 120lbs. My dad is type I, but I am going thru a stage of denial thinking I must have some rare carb intolerance disease or something. I know that is crazy. Can you actually be "prediabetic" for years and then be type I? My 6yr old who was just diagnosed in December 9months after me has no GAD antibodies, so why do GAD antibodies make me type I? I am not sure how I have found myself here questioning all this again, as I know the answers and logic but I really am denying it all again! Having one of those weird thinking nights. Or maybe I am not thinking at all......

Funnygrl · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2007, 10:19 PM

You have type 1.

LancetChick · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2007, 10:27 PM

GAD antibodies don't necessarily mean you are type 1, if you differentiate between type 1 and type 1.5. There may be any of a number of different antibodies that determine that you have an autoimmune response to your beta cells. My understanding is that GAD antibodies are present in type 1.5's and some (many?) type 1's who have had the disease for quite a while.

Funnygrl · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LancetChick

GAD antibodies don't necessarily mean you are type 1, if you differentiate between type 1 and type 1.5. There may be any of a number of different antibodies that determine that you have an autoimmune response to your beta cells. My understanding is that GAD antibodies are present in type 1.5's and some (many?) type 1's who have had the disease for quite a while.

The c-peptide of less than (which I assume is what the OP meant) 1 at diagnosis suggests plain old run of the mill type 1. Possibly honeymooning.

Harold · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2007, 12:55 AM

GAD antibodies and lower than normal c-peptide would suggest an autoimmune respose or type 1. Something like 20% of type 2's have some GAD antibodies and normal or higher than normal c-peptides.

kgm0612 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2007, 07:03 AM

I was dx'd a type 1 almost 4 years ago at the young age of 40. I have a younger brother, now 41, who was dx'd when he was 21 and a strong family history of diabetes on my father's side.

I complained to my doctor for years prior to being dx'd about how tired I was. My vision was getting worse but I blamed it on the computer. I had yeast infections every other month. All signs of diabetes but never realized it.

My PCP originally diagnosed me but it was the endo I saw a month later who ordered more blood work. The GAD & C-peptide (which PCP didn't order) showed my pancrease was barely producing insulin.........thus a type 1.

Karen

grace girl · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2007, 07:44 AM

I was dx'ed at the age of 32 as type 1. Gad antibodies and c-peptide sealed the deal. I was borderline for gestational diabetes for two out of three pregnancies prior to this. I didn't know then that one could get type 1 after childhood, so it was a real shocker.
All of the crazy thinking and denial are often a part of the package. Hang in there.

LancetChick · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2007, 08:01 AM

Ok, I just looked it up. As far as the GAD antibodies go:

GAD antibodies - Persons with LADA usually test positive for GAD antibodies, whereas in type 1 diabetes these antibodies are more commonly seen in adults rather than in children.[2][10] Latent autoimmune diabetes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's all very complicated, and I don't pretend to get it, which is why I go for text-bites like the quote above. Oh, and apparently you can have GAD antibodies and never become diabetic.

Great.

dgrilli · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Prognosis - About 80% of all persons initially diagnosed with type 2, who also have GAD antibodies, will become insulin dependent within 6 years. Those with both GAD and IA2 antibodies will become insulin dependent sooner. LADA occurs slowly, but progresses towards insulin dependency.[5]

I tested positive for these also.

Probably from some external factor like eating to many sweets when I was young.

If I could have only not been so lazy and over eaten.