Assay

Zinc Transporter 8 antibodies

Key Words

  ZnT8 antibodies

Specimen Collection

Serum (Brown)

Turnaround time

5 days

This test is referred to another centre:

Protein Reference Unit & Immunology Department
Laboratory Medicine Building
North Lane
Northern General Hospital
Herries Road
SHEFFIELD
S5 7AU 

0114 2715552

Test indications

 Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) is an islet beta cell secretory granule membrane protein that has been identified as an autoantibodies antigen in type 1 diabetes.  ZnT8 antibodies can be used in addition to the other diabetic markers : GAD 65 antibodies, IA-2 antibodies and islet cell antibodies to differentiate clinical phenotypes.

Positive GAD65 antibodies , IA-2 antibodies and ZnT8 antibodies in combination are associated with younger age onset of autoimmune diabetes and more severe insulin deficiency. ZnT8 antibodies can be seen in up to 80% of new type 1 diabetes cases and in up to 26% of type  1 diabetes patients that are negative for GAD65 antibodies, IA-2 antibodies, islet cell antibodies and insulin antibodies. The antibodies generally appear later than GAD65 antibodies and insulin antibodies, although not in a strict order.

Methodology

ELISA

Interferences

Contact referral lab

Reference Range

Negative <15 U/mL

Positive >15 U/mL

Analytical error

Contact referral lab

Reference change value

Contact referral lab