Antibody Panel blood test providers

[Bwel]

Hi there,
I’ve became insulin dependent within 1 year of diagnosis. I have high insulin sensitivity (HOMA), but low fasting insulin and C-peptide (<0.5). I’ve been LCHF for 2 years, but can’t get to remission and off insulin, although I have got my Basal Insulin down to 2 x 6 units.

My DR, says he thinks I’m type 2, with depleted Beta Cell function. But is not doing tests on the NHS for LADA or MODY. I do have private cover and can get tests, but am trying to find a Blood Test provider who can do the full Antibody test panel. Does anybody know who can do the following full Antibody Panel ?
I know lots of places that do GAD, but I’m looking for the fuller panel.

- Glutamic acid decarboxylase GAD / GADA,
- Islet cell antibody ICA
- Insulin antibody IAA
- Islet antigen-2, insulinoma-2 associated antibody IA-2A
- Zinc transporter antibody Zn-T8A


Many thanks,

 

[EllieM]

My DR, says he thinks I’m type 2, with depleted Beta Cell function.

Is this a proper consultant or a GP? I thought T2s had low insulin sensitivity (ie high insulin resistance) and initially high insulin production, so high insulin sensitivity and low c-peptide pretty well guarantees T1/LADA.

Cannot see why you need the GAD tests when you are low insulin resistance and low insulin production.... but maybe I'm missing something.

If this is your GP, ask to see a consultant.

Can't help with your actual question, sorry. Good luck.

 

[Bwel]

Is this a proper consultant or a GP? I thought T2s had low insulin sensitivity (ie high insulin resistance) and initially high insulin production, so high insulin sensitivity and low c-peptide pretty well guarantees T1/LADA.

Cannot see why you need the GAD tests when you are low insulin resistance and low insulin production.... but maybe I'm missing something.

If this is your GP, ask to see a consultant.

Can't help with your actual question, sorry. Good luck.

Hi there,
Its my Endrochronologist whom is not keen on testing anything other than Blood Glucose. He feels I'm amazingly well managed and I should just be happy just taking insulin with a fair A1C (7.3%) control, but I would like to do better and would like a conclusive dianosis on my type of diebeties (T1,LADA, T2) and If I am T2 then I would like to achive a remission and ideally get off insulin.

He feels I'm more likely an exhasted Type 2, but when I was diagnosed in South Africa (age 38), they said I had an Autoimune attack after Trauma. I came to the UK shortly after and have been treated as a T2 with Insulin on the NHS. But this statement that it was an Autoimune attack has stuck in my mind. Then recently I started having some private tests and hence the HOMA-IR (0.7) confirmed high insulin sensitivity. Fasting Insulin and C-Peptide are low and even having a OGTT test I have a low insulin reaction with the 75g Glucose dose.

 

[DCUKMod]

Hi there,
Its my Endrochronologist whom is not keen on testing anything other than Blood Glucose. He feels I'm amazingly well managed and I should just be happy just taking insulin with a fair A1C (7.3%) control, but I would like to do better and would like a conclusive dianosis on my type of diebeties (T1,LADA, T2) and If I am T2 then I would like to achive a remission and ideally get off insulin.

He feels I'm more likely an exhasted Type 2, but when I was diagnosed in South Africa (age 38), they said I had an Autoimune attack after Trauma. I came to the UK shortly after and have been treated as a T2 with Insulin on the NHS. But this statement that it was an Autoimune attack has stuck in my mind. Then recently I started having some private tests and hence the HOMA-IR (0.7) confirmed high insulin sensitivity. Fasting Insulin and C-Peptide are low and even having a OGTT test I have a low insulin reaction with the 75g Glucose dose.

View attachment 45033
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What remit did you give your consultant when you went to see him? I have found that when utilising private medical services they are usually "enthusiastic" for information for their patients.

I think in your shoes, I would tell him I want to be tested for; could he please facilitate it?

If your consultant seems disinterested, maybe he isn't the man for you? How did you select him?

 

[Bwel]

What remit did you give your consultant when you went to see him? I have found that when utilising private medical services they are usually "enthusiastic" for information for their patients.

I think in your shoes, I would tell him I want to be tested for; could he please facilitate it?

If your consultant seems disinterested, maybe he isn't the man for you? How did you select him?

Hi,
My endrochronologist is the Consultant at the local Integrated Diabeties Service (IDS) of the NHS, they deal with all diabeties for the local GP's. i.e. I had no choice. This is part of the issue in that the NHS remit seems to be based more on medication control rather than treatment of cause and protocols for remission. I do know it varies across the country and clearly there are those GP's and Consultant Endrochronologist whom are very motivated, but i'm in the wrong 'postcode' for that.

Because my endrochronologist is NHS but seperatly also does private work under BMI, he says he must avoid mix the two and has advised that he therefore can't get involved with any referrals for private tests. However I can get referals and private test performed under my private healthcare so dont need his referalls letters anyway, but I do need to find out where teh tests can be performed.

I'm now just trying to find out for other where they have had full Antibody Panel tests performed for those listed in my initial message post.

 

[DCUKMod]

Hi,
My endrochronologist is the Consultant at the local Integrated Diabeties Service (IDS) of the NHS, they deal with all diabeties for the local GP's. i.e. I had no choice. This is part of the issue in that the NHS remit seems to be based more on medication control rather than treatment of cause and protocols for remission. I do know it varies across the country and clearly there are those GP's and Consultant Endrochronologist whom are very motivated, but i'm in the wrong 'postcode' for that.

Because my endrochronologist is NHS but seperatly also does private work under BMI, he says he must avoid mix the two and has advised that he therefore can't get involved with any referrals for private tests. However I can get referals and private test performed under my private healthcare so dont need his referalls letters anyway, but I do need to find out where teh tests can be performed.

I'm now just trying to find out for other where they have had full Antibody Panel tests performed for those listed in my initial message post.

You can ask for a second opinion under the NHS.

I have a wonky thyroid, but it took a few years to really work out what was going on. I was referred to a consultant whose parting line was "we never get to the bottom of this". Well, you can trust me, that was not satisfactory in my world!

I subsequently had a telephone consultation with my GP (yes, those were happening 2 or 3 years ago too!) and expressed my disappointment at the Consultant's approach. She then told me that if I wanted it, I could request a second opinion. She also told me she could do a named referral for that second opinion and that my "chosen one" need not even be in our area, or region.

I then took a couple of weeks to do my research. I am fortunate to have a friend who works in the Endo world, so I asked her whom she would see, and went from there.

Alternatively, you say you have private cover. Why not do your research and ask your GP to make a private referral to someone you know to be good. You could then express to the new person what you need - to have a proper understanding of your diagnosis, including why you are unable to improve your predicament, despite your best efforts.

 

[Bwel]

You can ask for a second opinion under the NHS.

I have a wonky thyroid, but it took a few years to really work out what was going on. I was referred to a consultant whose parting line was "we never get to the bottom of this". Well, you can trust me, that was not satisfactory in my world!

I subsequently had a telephone consultation with my GP (yes, those were happening 2 or 3 years ago too!) and expressed my disappointment at the Consultant's approach. She then told me that if I wanted it, I could request a second opinion. She also told me she could do a named referral for that second opinion and that my "chosen one" need not even be in our area, or region.

I then took a couple of weeks to do my research. I am fortunate to have a friend who works in the Endo world, so I asked her whom she would see, and went from there.

Alternatively, you say you have private cover. Why not do your research and ask your GP to make a private referral to someone you know to be good. You could then express to the new person what you need - to have a proper understanding of your diagnosis, including why you are unable to improve your predicament, despite your best efforts.

Many thanks for your advice.
I had been looking for a Private Consultant but so far have not found one whom is both a registered supplier to Bupa and also focused on Remission and De-prescribing.

If anybody have some recommendations for Bupa Endochronogists for remission, that would be greatly appreciated - by PM only Please do not post names and details on this thread.

Edited by Mod to modify request for professional recommendations.

 

[DCUKMod]

Many thanks for your advice.
I had been looking for a Private Consultant but so far have not found one whom is both a registered supplier to Bupa and also focused on Remission and De-prescribing.

If anybody have some recommendations for Bupa Endochronogists for remission, that would be greatly appreciated - by PM only Please do not post names and details on this thread.

My advice to you would be to do your research on NHS Endos, then see where they do their private work - they almost always do some, if not a lot.

That way, you can engage with then, then if necessary, be transferred to their NHS clinics. From my own experience, your BUPA (not my own provider, to be fair) will pay for a certain amount, but nothing ongoing longer term.

Have you actually spoken to them about a potential claim? If not, I would do that, but focus on lack of progress/improvement, rather than hunting remission, as that aspect may not be on their radar at the moment.

You could also have a look at the PHCUK website and look at their clinicians list. Could be worth a chat with one of them, if there is one near your part of the world. They are mainly GPs/primary care folks, but as sure as eggs are eggs, they will know the secondary people around them.

Finally, Ihave altered your post to take out the request for medical professional recommendations. We cannot allow that sort of thing on-forum. One man's fabulous is another's dire. Members are very welcome to PM you though.