GAD antibody tests and diabetes

Don't know what GAD (glutamate decarboxylase) antibody tests are? Read on to find out why it's so important.

GAD antibody test

Lizèvan Der Walt shares her and her daughter's diabetes diagnosis and how she learned the importance of GAD antibody testing.

Tell us about your diagnosis – and what is your daughter's diagnosis story?

I was diagnosed at age 13, a month before my 14th birthday. As an active teenager who participates in a variety of sports and part of a family with healthy eating habits, presents symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, and thinks it's the stress of the year. My mother didn't think much about hormone changes. However, after traveling to the mall looking for a swimsuit, she was shocked by the amount of weight I had lost. As a registered nurse, some of the symptoms raised certain awareness, but as a mother, she was deeply concerned about my health. The main signs that made her uneasy were weight loss, bare thirst and low energy levels. She made an appointment with the doctor. It was confirmed by a quick finger stab wound and blood glucose results of 36 mmol/L (normal range of 4-8 mmol/L) and was admitted immediately.

My youngest daughter was 4 years old and went to the ER from “normal family” on weekends and had a juvenile diabetic patient on Sunday nights. Her diagnosis was quite a coincidence. She thought she had a bladder infection and thought she had done a urine test after realising that she had a lot of urination and was not feeling well. Urine tests showed no infection, but instead showed ketones and glucose. I called my neighbor, GP at the time and she recommended that we go to the emergency room to check her out.

After the ER Doctor gave her the first shot of insulin and placed a bright orange “diabetic” sticker on her hospital files, we realized what we were facing.

Autoimmune status

It is important to note that preceded her diagnosis was the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) two months ago. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition and can appear in the body after being attacked by a virus. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include the need to urinate frequently, thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, changes in vision, and fatigue. As we saw at Liya-Lomé, these symptoms can occur suddenly.

Longitudinal studies have been conducted to see the relationship between enteroviruses and autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes (enteroviruses are a group of viruses, and bodies caused by one of several different strains of virus (It can affect many parts of the site).

Children exposed to enterovirus are known to be more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. However, this appears to be disproportionately true for children carrying genetic variants to surface proteins of pancreatic beta cells. This means someone who has a genetic predisposition to diabetes.

Enterovirus infections and diabetes

Children with diabetes were found to have approximately three times more intestinal infections than children without type 1 diabetes. Although no direct causal relationships have been identified, enteroviruses can cause damage to the pancreas, which may increase the risk of children suffering from insulin poverty or inadequately carried out. It is thought.

Unfortunately, new research suggests that there may be a link between cases of Covid-19 in childhood and the onset of type 1 diabetes. New diagnosis of type 1 diabetes has almost doubled during the pandemic, and many affected children have evidence of Covid-19 infection. Coronavirus spike proteins are thought to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and destroy them in the process, thus increasing the risk of type 1 diabetes in children. Although a direct link has not yet been proven, it should be considered a plausible explanation for the increase in type 1 diabetes diagnosis during the pandemic.

GAD antibody tests and diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by abnormalities in beta cells in the islets of Langerhans.
It reduces blood glucose levels by reducing the production of the hormone insulin, an enzyme that stimulates cells to absorb and use glucose in the blood and stimulates the liver to convert glucose to glycogen. Type 1 diabetes is usually present quite early on, but some cases with similar abnormalities appear in adults known as potential autoimmune diabetes (LADA).

GAD (glutamate dicarboxyloxylase) is one of the substances involved in beta cell-specific autoimmune activation. In other words, the enzyme GAD is required for interstitial insulin production by pancreatic beta cells. Therefore, if for some reason the body produces certain anti-GAD antibodies against GAD, the body cannot produce insulin and the sugar accumulates in the blood.

What is a GAD test?

GAD antibody testing is extremely important in the classification of diabetes, as 75% of patients with type 1 diabetes have anti-GAD antibodies in their blood, thereby helping to select the appropriate treatment regimen for the patient. Anti-GAD antibodies may be present together with anti-insulin antibodies or may be the only antibody in the patient's blood. Furthermore, anti-GAD antibody testing is also relevant for the prognosis of patients with future insulin-dependent transitions. This means that you can predict whether someone will develop type 1 diabetes. Not when.

For the most accurate results, patients should choose a reputable healthcare facility and perform screening tests for early diagnosis of diabetes.

This test allows detection of the presence of GAD antibodies, providing early evidence of autoimmune disease activity. That measurement helps physicians in predicting, diagnosing and managing diabetic patients.

What made you decide to have your other daughter test for GAD antibodies?

We decided to test our other daughters for GAD antibodies after our pediatric endocrinologist suggested we do the test. Mainly because they felt it was unnecessary…not because they thought it was impossible for both children to live with diabetes, but if the dice rolled like that, they would accept their fate. Because I couldn't do it.

My daughter said she wanted to do the test, so we did. When it came back to positive, it was a huge surprise. After crying and protesting, I began a “investigation” and consulted my doctor for more information.

To be totally honest, it gives me more information after I came across an awareness campaign for young women who died after being misdiagnosed, and the doctor gives me more information I really saw value by knowing your status. That was when it happened.

I found out there is a risk that my second daughter will develop Type 1, so would you change anything?

Yes, no. As a family, we have established healthy eating habits and she remains active so there is not much of the lifestyle changes I make. However, we definitely do more regular blood tests and overall health checks. What my experience has taught me is that when faced with the potential for diagnosis, the mental health aspect is just as important as physical health. Shock and emotional sacrifice after being diagnosed or after a child diagnosed with a chronic condition can be mentally exhausting.

You cannot control the outcome of a diagnosis, but you can control how you respond emotionally. This includes finding ways to deal with stress regardless of your diagnosis, making you mentally ready to move forward. With a focus on mental health, we are not only physically prepared, but emotionally equipped to support our children and ourselves through the process.

How about living with two people who have type 1 diabetes at home?

Living with two people suffering from type 1 diabetes in the same household is a balance of everyday life and unpredictability. Sometimes, sometimes everything runs smoothly, but in other cases, unexpected challenges like removed sensors, dead batteries, or lack of insulin can lead to moments of chaos. You may create it. Over time, this taught me to settle down and thank me for peaceful and peaceful days.

As a family, we work together to manage daily demand. My husband can take over when I have tough days and handle tasks like changing sensors and injection sets. I am responsible for organizing my lunchboxes, restocking low sugar products, managing prescriptions, and scheduling physician appointments. It's a team effort and we'll be notified if there's a problem.

Our households operate on the principle of “Always be honest whenever possible.” This is especially important for young children. When they feel that they have been judged about what they eat, they can hide things or try to manage their diabetes yourself.

What do you know when you are diagnosed?

I am in charge and make decisions regarding my care with the input of a great medical team. It's fine even if you have a tough day. Building a strong support system is just as important as learning to manage the state itself.

What advice would you offer to others who are suffering from diabetes?

Nail your time with range of blood sugar targets or just spend the day without losing your meter, celebrate those little victories. Find someone who gets it, like “diabetes that runs a buddy.”

I've had all of that, including rebellious teenagers, student life, pregnancy, parenting, and raising my child with now a type 1 diagnosis. It's a roller coaster, but I've learned that you don't have to work on that. Laughter when you can, cry when you need it, remember: you have this – even in times when your pump isn't!

What will make your life sweet?

That's all little things. It is the love and support of family and close friends, the peace seen in nature, the comfort of faith in God, the beauty of art, and the joy of good coffee.

Dreams look forward to me, and all of these things combine to remind me that life is full
Sweetness – even when there is a challenge. Diabetes is just part of my story, but these joys make my journey more enriched.

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