What Is Latent Autoimmune Diabetes?
Latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) is also called Type 1.5 diabetes. It’s a slow progression of the Type 1 diabetes autoimmune attack. The body produces antibodies causing it to attack and destroy insulin producing cells, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose/blood sugar).
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, the destruction progresses slowly over months to years.
What are LADA Symptoms?
Symptoms of LADA are similar to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and related to those of hyperglycemia. This includes:
- Increased urination during the day, as well as overnight
- Blurry vision
- Increased thirst and/or hunger
- Fatigue
How Is Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Diagnosed?
LADA usually occurs after age 30. It’s often misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes because the pancreas still produces some insulin. In many cases people with LADA are physically active with lean bodies. They may experience weight loss without trying. LADA may not be suspected until seeing a diabetes specialist when current treatment no longer works to control blood glucose levels.
Blood tests to diagnose it include checking C-peptide levels, which provides information about how much insulin the body is making. Another blood test checks for antibodies against insulin producing pancreatic cells.
How Is it Treated?
At first, LADA may be treated with oral medication (pills). Once the autoimmune attack destroys the insulin producing cells, multiple daily insulin injections become necessary. Usually a combination of a long-acting insulin (taken once per day) plus a rapid-acting insulin (before meals) is needed.
If you have latent autoimmune diabetes and are struggling, talk to your primary care doctor or diabetes provider.
