Does early/slow developing type 1 often get misdiagnosed for prediabetes(type 2)?

[Fabell]

This a question out of curiosity. Mainly because I have blood test soon(as I am showing symptoms). From my research type 1 can some times take longer to develop and sometimes come on fast. I wondered if it’s possible to get a HbA1c. What got you diagnosed with prediabetes but it was actually type 1. This probably a weird question. It’s out of curiosity and due to I am having that tested on Friday to check for diabetes.

-Edited-
I am not that old nearly 18.
Not obese.(I am not slim but I am not necessarily obese)
My diet isn’t that bad.

 

[Bluetit1802]

There is a form of Type 1 diabetes that develops slowly. It is called LADA, and it is often misdiagnosed initially as Type 2 diabetes. LADA stands for Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood, and develops slowly in adults.

Good luck with your blood test.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

The short answer to your question in the title is "Yes"
The longer answer is here: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/201...es-are-misdiagnosed-with-type-2-92171991.html

Thankfully, this was not the case for me, I was diagnosed with Type 1 in my 30s because I was "too slim to have type 2"! This was in the days before c-peptide and GAD tests

 

[searley]

In my case yes as 1st comment

 

[SareN]

I had some routine blood tests in May 2018 and had a raised HBA1C of 6%. I was told i was in the prediabetic range. It was a real shock as I am very slim, eat well and am a fitness instructor. At the time I was teaching 12 classes a week. I tried to pursue it as it just didn't seem right with my size and lifestyle but doctors were very dismissive and just said I was probably eating more sugar than I realised.
I had some further blood tests done in February 2020 due to feeling very tired and not myself. I was called urgently to the doctors office as my HBA1C was 11.7%. My LADA type 1 diagnosis was delayed due to Covid19 but I finally had antibody tests done in June and tested positive. I started insulin and feel so much better. I now realised how unwell and tired I had been feeling for so long. I didn't even know slow on set type 1 existed. I was 36 at diagnosis.

 

[EllieM]

I am not that old nearly 18.

Plenty of older (usually but not always over 30) folk get slow onset T1 (LADA) but I've not heard of any slow onset young T1s of your age (sorry). Many many adult diagnosed T1s spend a couple of years misdiagnosed as T2. Generally at your age it comes on very fast, though there always seem to be a few people who manage to break the traditional rules of diabetic type and onset.

But honestly, at your age and not obese, if you do turn out to have diabetes it'll probably be T1 and you'll need to have insulin sooner rather than later.

Good luck with the blood test. Technology for new T1s is wonderful but I'll still keep my fingers crossed for you that you don't have it.

 

[Daibell]

Hi and Yes. LADA can come on at widely varying rates but at your young age it could be within a year or two once the beta cells start to decline. In my case at age 50 it has taken around 6 to 8 years to slowly decline from normal to T1 level based on C-Peptide test. It's the very slow decline that confuses GPs.