Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediatley following collection, mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within one (1) hour of collection
3. Transfer serum to a LabCorp screw-capped purple frozen plastic transport tube, labelled as serum
4. Freeze and maintain frozen until tested (preferred)

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin within one (1) hour of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a LabCorp screw-capped purple frozen plastic transport tube, labelled as serum,
4. Freeze and maintain frozen until tested (preferred)

Frozen (preferred) - 107 days

Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x 6

Refrigerated - 3 days

Ambient - 3 days

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

U/mL

Type 1 diabetes, commonly referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), is caused by pancreatic beta-cell destruction that leads to an absolute insulin deficiency. The clinical onset of diabetes does not occur until 80% to 90% of these cells have been destroyed. Prior to clinical onset, type 1 diabetes is often characterized by circulating autoantibodies against a variety of islet cell antigens, including glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), tyrosine phosphatase (IA(2)), and insulin. The autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells is thought to be the primary cause of type 1 diabetes. The presence of these autoantibodies provides early evidence of autoimmunedisease activity, and their measurement can be useful in assisting the physician with the prediction, diagnosis, and management of patients with diabetes. Autoantibodies to IA(2), a tyrosine phosphatase-like protein, are found in 50% to 75% of type 1 diabetics at and prior to disease onset. These autoantibodies are generally more prevalent in younger onset patients. Because the risk of diabetes is increased with the presence of each additional autoantibody, the positive predictive value of the IA(2) antibody test is enhanced when measured in conjunction with antibodies to GAD and insulin.