Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or Type I Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which insulin deficiency is a consequence of immunological destruction of the pancreatic beta cells. In individuals who are genetically predisposed to IDDM, the immunological attack on the beta cells occurs during an asymptomatic period, which is referred to as the "Prediabetic Phase". This prediabetic phase usually begins several years before the clinical onset of IDDM. During this phase, autoantibodies directed against pancreatic islet cell antigens (ICA) and/or insulin (IAA) are detected in the blood of many prediabetic subjects.
The Isletest(tm) - IAA test detects the presence of specific human IgG to human insulin. It is a screening test, which together with other clinical information, may be useful as an aid to the diagnosis of Type I Diabetes.
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