Rare Diabetes Type Often Misdiagnosed, Experts Warn

Fast Summary

• LADA Overview: Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also called type 1.5 diabetes, is an autoimmune condition more closely related to type 1 diabetes but frequently enough misdiagnosed as type 2 due to its slow onset.
• Symptoms and Progression: Symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, rapid weight loss, and infections. Unlike the rapid progression of type 1 diabetes,LADA symptoms develop over several years as insulin production decreases gradually.
• Prevalence and Causes: LADA affects about 2-12% of adults diagnosed with diabetes and may have genetic and environmental factors contributing to its onset.
• Misdiagnosis Issue: LADA is frequently misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes as autoimmune conditions like it are frequently enough associated with children. About 5-10% of LADA cases are misidentified,leading to ineffective treatment plans for patients.
• Complications of Misdiagnosis: Without timely diagnosis, undetected LADA can result in diabetic ketoacidosis-a life-threatening condition arising from uncontrolled blood sugar levels-if left untreated for years.
• Testing and Diagnosis Tips: Differentiation requires specific antibody screenings (GAD, ICA, IAA) beyond glucose or A1c levels. Misunderstanding or lack of awareness among healthcare providers may delay a correct diagnosis.
• Treatment Options: Early detection allows effective management through insulin therapy supplemented by glucose monitors. In some cases, GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic can support treatment.

Image included: Micrograph illustrating islet cells in the pancreas responsible for hormone secretion; these are destroyed over time in autoimmune diabetes.

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