Optimal Result:
0 - 0.5 nmol/L.
Glutamic acid decarboxylase is an enzyme found in brain and pancreas that converts glutamic acid (glutamate) into GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The glutamic acid decarboxylase test is a test that looks for antibodies directed against the glutamic acid decarboxylase enzyme. While glutamic acid decarboxylase is a critical enzyme in brain, it is also found in beta cells in the pancreas. Some individuals develop autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase. When these antibodies are detectable in the blood, they may represent an autoimmune disease. The test is performed using radioimmunoassay. The absence or very low levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies are considered normal. Less than 10% of healthy individuals will have low levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, suggesting that they may be present in people without disease.
Normal Ranges for Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase:
Less than or equal to 0.02 nmol/L
Sources:
https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81596
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pathogenesis-of-type-1-diabetes-mellitus
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5107286/
https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/84221
Lab Results Explained and Tracked
What does it mean if your Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase result is too high?
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) autoantibodies are primarily associated with autoimmune diseases, notably type 1 diabetes and certain neurological disorders. In type 1 diabetes, the presence of GAD autoantibodies is common and serves as a marker for the autoimmune nature of the disease. While it's true that these antibodies are more prevalent in type 1 diabetes, their levels can vary among individuals.
In contrast, GAD autoantibodies are much less common in type 2 diabetes. Their presence in type 2 diabetes patients is not typical and is usually not a feature of the disease. Instead, if GAD autoantibodies are present in someone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it might suggest a misdiagnosis or a form of diabetes that lies on the autoimmune spectrum, such as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
Regarding neurological diseases, GAD autoantibodies are linked to some neurological conditions, such as Stiff Person Syndrome. However, their presence is not definitive for diagnosing these conditions and should be interpreted within the broader context of the patient's clinical presentation and other diagnostic findings.
Furthermore, GAD autoantibodies are associated with a predisposition to various autoimmune disorders. Their presence can indicate a general propensity towards autoimmunity and might be seen in conditions like autoimmune thyroid disease, pernicious anemia, Addison's disease, and vitiligo. However, they are not specific markers for these diseases.
In summary, while GAD autoantibodies are significant in the context of type 1 diabetes and may be seen in various autoimmune disorders, their presence should be interpreted carefully, considering the overall clinical context and other diagnostic tests.
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What does it mean if your Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase result is too low?
It is not possible to have glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody levels that are too low.
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