Insulin antibodies
Also known as : [Free insulin],[IAA],[insulin autoantibodies],[Insulin, free]

Plasma/Serum
Test performed by: LabPLUS Endocrinology

This test detects antibodies to insulin.

This test is not for diabetic autoantibodies (GAD and IA2): see "diabetes antibodies".

This test may be vetted by a pathologist.

The clinical information for the test must be clearly written on the request form. If clinical information is not provided, or does not provide sufficient justification for the test, the test may be declined.

Declined tests :

If a test is declined, the specimen will be held for a reasonable period (usually 3 weeks but dependant on the stability of the sample). Medical practitioners seeking approval for a declined test should email the on-call Chemical Pathologist ( chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz ) , giving the patient's name and NHI number and the clinical justification for the test. If unable to email, call the on-call Chemical Pathologist via Lablink (09-3078995) and identify yourself as a doctor.

Test vetting policy

Specimen Collection
3.5 mL SST Blood (Preferred)
4 mL Plain Serum
2 mL Paediatric Microsample Serum
Turnaround Time: Within 1 week
Assay Method
Test performed by Endocrinology
Chemiluminescence immunoassay (Roche) is performed before and after PEG extraction to remove insulin-Ab complexes.

Uncertainty of Measurement: 10%

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

If present in sufficient quantity, insulin antibodies can affect diabetes control or cause hypoglycemia .
Insulin antibodies may be helpful in investigating hypoglycemia in selected cases.
In most cases of hypoglycemia the cause will be clear from the serum insulin level and other tests, taken at the time of hypoglycemia, and the insulin antibodies test will not be required.

This test is done by measuring insulin in serum before and after PEG extraction (which removes insulin-antibody complexes).

See also : Fasting Hypoglycemia Test

Fasting Hypoglycaemia Test

Contact Information
Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402

Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories

Sample Type
Serum

Sample Preparation
Separate and freeze as soon as possible

Minimum volume - 400 uL, preferably more

Store in Endo box in Freezer 36

Sample Stability
Room temperature - 4 hours

Refrigerated - up to 48 hours

Frozen - up to 6 months

Transport to LabPlus
Send as a frozen aliquot

Last updated at 15:26:00 06/01/2025

Sample Type	Serum
Sample Preparation	Separate and freeze as soon as possible Minimum volume - 400 uL, preferably more Store in Endo box in Freezer 36
Sample Stability	Room temperature - 4 hours Refrigerated - up to 48 hours Frozen - up to 6 months
Transport to LabPlus	Send as a frozen aliquot