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Metabolism & organs
ZnT8 antibody test
Zinc transporter 8 antibody. Autoantibody in type 1 diabetes; helps distinguish T1D from T2D and LADA.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
ZnT8 antibodies are immune proteins aimed at the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Finding them can help show that diabetes is type 1, the kind caused by the immune system, rather than type 2.
Why it matters for women
Diabetes that first shows up in pregnancy usually goes away after birth, but now and then it’s type 1 diabetes starting in adulthood. Knowing which kind it is helps guide care. Type 1 can begin at any age, not just in childhood.
You might check it if…
- your diabetes started in adulthood and the type isn’t clear
- diabetes from a pregnancy didn’t go away after birth
- type 1 diabetes runs in your family
What your result may mean
High ZnT8 antibody: what it may mean
A positive or high ZnT8 antibody result may point to autoimmune (type 1) diabetes, where the immune system attacks the insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. The antibody can be highly specific for this process, so it can help tell autoimmune diabetes, including LADA, a slow-starting form in adults, from type 2. It may also appear before blood sugar rises. Diabetes that first appears during or after pregnancy can now and then turn out to be type 1, and this test may help sort that out. Thirst, frequent urination or weight loss you didn't plan can appear, or there may be no symptoms yet.
Low ZnT8 antibody: what it may mean
A low or negative ZnT8 antibody result may point away from type 1 diabetes, but it can't rule it out on its own. Some people with type 1 diabetes may test negative for ZnT8 and still have other autoantibodies, such as GAD65, IA-2 or insulin antibodies, so a clinician may check those too. These antibodies can also fade in the years after diabetes starts, which can make timing matter. For diabetes that begins in pregnancy, a negative result may fit gestational diabetes, though a clinician may look at your other tests before deciding which kind it is.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.