Anti-Insulin Antibody Test

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What do Abnormal Results Mean?

If IgG and IgMantibodies against insulin are elevated, your body recognizes the insulin to be foreign and may make the insulin less effective or neutralize the insulin. Also, the antibodies may change the time that the insulin acts putting you at risk for low blood sugar. This means that the insulin cannot serve its intended function of moving glucose from the blood stream into the cells. As a result, increased levels of insulin are required for the same therapeutic effect. This phenomena is called insulin resistance.

If the test shows elevated values of IgE antibody against insulin, then your body has developed an allergic response to the medication. This could put you at risk for skin reactions or rarely more severe widespread reactions. Other medications such as antihistamines or low dose injectable steroids may help to lessen the reaction. If reactions have been severe, an in-hospital procedure called desensitization may be necessary.