When I first got involved in the diabetes community, I started a forum for women with diabetes where we made many surprising discoveries together. One was the existence of a different form of diabetes: Type 1.5 or latent autoimmune diabetes (LADA).
Some forum members had been having similar struggles. They had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes but treatment did not seem to help. Often they were at or near their ideal weight and had no family history of the disease. Sometimes oral medications helped but they would lose efficacy over time. Sometimes oral medications didn't help at all. Diet and exercise didn't seem to make a difference either. Many would try very hard to gain control only to be scolded by doctors for not following their treatment regimen. These members were frustrated, confused, out of control and scared.
One day, one of these members was diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes. She finally had control of her blood sugar levels. Eventually we began to see this diagnosis in others.
Type 1.5 is also known as adult-onset Type 1 diabetes or LADA. It is sometimes called double diabetes because it has features of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It is a slow-progressing form of Type 1 diabetes that occurs in adults. Because it progresses so slowly, Type 2 oral medications may work for a while but eventually the patient will become insulin-dependent. Depending on when the diagnosis is made, oral medications may work for a short time or for many years.
About 10% of Americans with diabetes have LADA. In fact, it may be more common than Type 1 diabetes. It is very often misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.
Today is the first day of the first annual LADA Awareness week, to help increase understanding and reduce misdiagnosis. This event is from the Diabetes Hands Foundation, dLife and other participating groups who will offer information, tools, and tips.
Think you or someone you know might have LADA? There are two blood tests used for diagnosis: GAD antibody test and C-peptide test. The presence of GAD? and low levels of c-peptide may mean a LADA diagnosis.
Some About.com Diabetes readers have shared their LADA experiences. Do you have a story to share? If so, feel free to tell us your story in the comment section.
Actress Elizabeth Perkins was diagnosed with LADA in 2005 at 44 years old. Find out more about Elizabeth Perkins' LADA diagnosis.
Photo: Actress Elizabeth Perkins at 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. She was diagnosed with LADA in 2005. Jason Merritt / Getty Images
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