Type 1.5 Diabetes
Type 1.5 diabetes is also know by a variety of other names.
These alternative names for type 1.5 diabetes include:
- Type 3 diabetes
- Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) and
- Slow Onset Type 1 diabetes
People diagnosed with type 1.5 diabetes are typically diagnosed during adulthood. They do not need insulin instantly to manage their diabetes, they are often not overweight, and they have low or no insulin resistance.
However, people with type 1.5 diabetes have a specific type of antibody, known as GAD65, which attacks beta cells.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis as having type 2 diabetes is common. Around15-20% of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may actually have Type 1.5 diabetes. Medications designed to reduce insulin resistance do not work, as people with type 1.5 have little or no resistance to insulin.
Type 1.5 Medication
Oral medications may be effective at first, meaning misdiagnosis takes longer to establish. Amongst those with type 1.5 diabetes, insulin is required on average within four years.
Type 1.5 Symptoms
Symptoms of type 1.5 diabetes as opposed to type 2 diabetes may include being healthy looking, slim and physically fit. People with type 1.5 diabetes often do not have standard type 2 diabetes symptoms, including metabolic syndrome indicators. People with type 1.5 diabetes often have a lower risk of heart problems once blood sugar is controlled.
