Medichecks Inflammation & autoimmunity

Islet Cell Antibodies Blood Test

Checks for islet cell antibodies, which can appear in the blood before or around a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Suits people recently diagnosed with diabetes who want help distinguishing between type 1 and type 2.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
In-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Islet cell antibodies

Test specifications

Provider
Medichecks
Sample type
blood
Collection method
in-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Medichecks.

Autoimmunity

  • Islet cell antibodies

About this test

This test measures islet cell antibodies, immune markers that can appear in the blood before, or close to, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and are typically absent in type 2 diabetes. It is commonly used to help work out which type of diabetes is involved when someone has recently been diagnosed. As with any antibody test, results are best interpreted with your GP or diabetes team alongside your wider clinical picture.

There is no named comparison group for this exact test in our data, so we cannot say how it compares on price or depth with named peers. Against the wider set of similarly sized tests in its category, its £89 price sits almost exactly at the median.

The scores reflect a single-marker test. Clinical depth scores modestly, placing it in the lower third of the inflammation and autoimmunity tests we track, because only one biomarker is measured. Trust signals score highly, based on Medichecks' Trustpilot record, its UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs and doctor review as standard, and every result here is reviewed by a doctor, which supports a solid score for results and follow-up.

Who is it for?

This suits people who have recently received a diabetes diagnosis and, with their GP or specialist, want additional information to help clarify whether it is type 1 or type 2. It is not designed as a general screening test for people without a diagnosis or symptoms.

Because there are no comparable tests in our data for this specific panel, we cannot point you to a cheaper or deeper alternative here. If you have symptoms of diabetes and have not yet been diagnosed, speak to your GP rather than ordering this test on your own initiative.

How it works

Samples are collected by venous blood draw at a clinic, or you can arrange a home nurse visit; there is no at-home finger-prick option for this test. Once the sample reaches the lab, results are typically ready within five days, and every result is reviewed by a doctor as standard before you receive it.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Every result comes with a doctor's review, included as standard.
  • Priced almost exactly at the category median for similarly sized tests.
  • A home nurse visit is available if you would rather not attend a clinic.

Cons

  • Limited to a single biomarker, so it cannot build a wider clinical picture on its own.
  • No at-home finger-prick option; requires a venous draw at a clinic or a home visit.
  • No comparable peer tests in our data, so value cannot be benchmarked against named competitors.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker check for type 1 diabetes antibodies
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

Priced at £89, this test measures a single marker, islet cell antibodies, commonly used to help distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes after a diagnosis. There are no directly comparable tests in our data to benchmark it against, but its price sits close to the median for similarly sized autoimmunity tests we track. Doctor review is included, though clinical depth is limited to one marker.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 6.4/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 32nd percentile of inflammation tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 5 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 9.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.5 from 2,477 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); doctor review as standard; trading 25+ years.

  • Value for money 6.5/10

    £89.00 against a median of £88.63 for the 26 similarly sized inflammation tests we track (+0%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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