A Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Autoantibodies (GAD) test is used to discover whether someone has either type-1 diabetes or Latent Autoimmune diabetes of adulthood. A GAD test is a blood test which measures whether the body is producing a type of antibody which destroys its own GAD cells. When testing for type-1 diabetes you will be tested for antibodies like islet cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ICAs), Insulinoma-associated-2 autoantibodies (IA-2As,) and Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) which are prevalent in children than in adults. Type-1 diabetes is a result of an immune system malfunction. It occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the Beta cells in the pancreas these cells produce insulin in the body and maintain the blood glucose levels. Once the beta cells are destroyed they cannot be repaired. Without insulin, glucose builds up in your blood, leaving your cells starved for energy. There are not confirmed symptoms for GAD but if you are being tested for GAD, you might have symptoms of diabetes which are: excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, irritability, blurry vision, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and cuts or sores that take a long time to heal.
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