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10 Facts About Latent Autoimmune Diabetes

LADA, or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes, is a type of diabetes that presents itself in adults. Although LADA shares similarities with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it follows a development and course of treatment more closely associated with type 1 diabetes. LADA is sometimes referred to as type 1.5 diabetes.

  1. Diagnosis

    • A typical patient with LADA is between the ages of thirty and fifty, have a normal weight and often are not insulin resistant. About 10 to 20% of adults first diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, actually have LADA. People with LADA test positive for antibodies that attack their beta cells in their pancreas.

    Antibodies

    • Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is an auto-immune disease wherein antibodies attack and eliminate beta pancreatic cells. The result is that a person with type 1 diabetes produces little or no insulin, and must inject insulin to live. A person with LADA will test positive for these auto-antibodies, but progression is somewhat slower than with type 1. It may take years to become insulin dependent.

    Mis-diagnosis

    • Since people with LADA still produce a certain amount of insulin, they may first be diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. Oral diabetic medications that stimulate insulin production in the pancreas may be effective for a time. Diet and exercise may also help lower blood glucose levels. Once the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin to respond to oral medications, they cease to work.

    Tests for LADA

    • People with LADA will have lower than normal insulin production. A basal insulin test will reveal this, but may not be definitive as people with type 2 diabetes also have diminished insulin production with time. Tests for the various auto- antibodies are more definitive. These tests are called C peptide, and GAD antibody tests. Lower than normal C-Peptide levels and positive GAD antibodies confirm LADA.

    Progression

    • LADA is sometimes called slow onset type 1. This is because it mirrors the progression of type 1, such as lowered C-peptide levels. LADA patients may not have the immediate need of insulin as those with type 1 diabetes, but will generally need insulin within four years of diagnosis.

    Treatment

    • As with any type of diabetes, the treatment is to lower blood sugar levels to normal or near normal levels. This is to avoid future complications, such as nerve and kidney damage. Diet and exercise are two essential components to lowering blood sugar levels. Insulin injections will eventually become necessary, and may be recommended from diagnosis.

    Insulin Resistance

    • There are a number of factors that influence insulin resistance, such as age and pregnancy, even the time of day. However, people with LADA do not have the degree of insulin resistance that people with type 2 diabetes have.

    Diet

    • As mentioned earlier, if you are diagnosed with LADA, you will have to watch your diet. Low glycemic diets, low carbohydrate diets and low fat diets or a combination of the three can help you to manage your diabetes. Talk to your doctor and a nutritionist about which diet is best for you.

    Exercise

    • Although most patients with LADA are not overweight, exercise is a valuable tool. Lean muscle mass uses insulin more effectively than fat, whether the insulin is injected or you are still producing some. This makes glycemic control easier.

    Getting Tested

    • If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, are slim, and are having trouble controlling your blood sugar levels with diet, exercise and oral medications, ask your doctor about LADA. You may have a C-peptide or GAD antibody test done. Correctly diagnosing what type of diabetes you have will help you and your doctor plan your treatment.

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