Anti-insulin antibody test

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Blood test

Normally, antibodies against insulin are not present in your blood. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

If IgG and IgM types of antibodies against insulin are present, your body reacts as if the insulin is foreign. This may make insulin less effective, or neutralize it. The antibodies can also change the amount of time the insulin takes to act, putting you at risk for low blood sugar. This means that the insulin cannot serve its intended function of moving glucose from the blood stream into the cells. As a result, increased levels of insulin are required for the same therapeutic effect. This phenomenon is called insulin resistance.

If the test shows elevated values of IgE antibody against insulin, then your body has developed an allergic response to the medication. This could put you at risk for skin reactions, or more severe widespread reactions. Other medications such as antihistamines or low dose injectable steroids may help to lessen the reaction. If reactions have been severe, an in-hospital procedure called desensitization may be necessary.

Review Date: 02/27/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.