Autoimmunity laboratory

Case Study

Diabetes

The symptoms and profile of the patient alone are relatively strong indicators for diabetes but several other tests are necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. On referral from the GP, healthcare scientists in the Immunology department used immunofluoresence techniques and found two autoantibodies that are specifically found in patients with diabetes, Islet Cell Antibodies (ICA) and antibodies targeted against a molecule called Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD). The chemistry department worked on the case alongside the immunology department by measuring blood glucose levels which were found to be high, another strong indication of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes in adolescents is often associated with coeliac disease so clinical scientists in the immunology lab decided to test for antibodies associated with coeliac as a precaution, however these tests were negative.

What do you think might be an appropriate treatment regime for a patient with Diabetes?

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