Insulin antibodies are immunoglobulins called anti-insulin antibodies; they act as insulin-transporting proteins. The most common type of anti-insulin antibody is IgG, but it is found in all five classes of immunoglobulins in patients treated with insulin. These immunoglobulins, especially IgE, may be responsible for allergic manifestations; IgM may cause insulin resistance.
This insulin antibody level provides information for determining the most appropriate treatment for certain patients with diabetes. Patients with diabetes may form antibodies to the insulin they take and require larger doses because insulin is not available for glucose metabolism when it is partially complexed with these antibodies. It may also focus the reason for allergic manifestations. It can identify a state of insulin resistance in which the daily insulin requirement exceeds 200 U for more than 2 days and may be associated with elevated anti-insulin antibody titers and insulin-binding capacity.
Negative: <3% binding of the patient’s serum with labeled beef, human, and pork insulin SI units when performed by RIA
Collect a 7-mL blood serum sample from a fasting patient. Collect in a red-topped tube. Observe standard precautions.
Label the specimen with the patient’s name, date, and test(s) ordered and place in a biohazard bag for transport to the laboratory.
Pretest Patient Care
Explain purpose of test. Fasting is required. Check with individual laboratory for time frames.
Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed pretest care.
Posttest Patient Care
Review test results; report and record findings. Modify the nursing care plan if needed. Based on antibody levels present and clinical findings, the dosage of insulin is changed to reduce or prevent further allergic manifestations and insulin resistance.
Follow guidelines in Chapter 1 for safe, effective, informed posttest care.