LADA - stands for Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults. It is a type 1 diabetes, which means the body attacks its own insulin producing cells. People with LADA can be diagnosed by having a blood test for antibodies (the chemicals involved in attacking the insulin making cells). People with LADA have a slowly progressing form of type 1 diabetes. This means they do not need insulin when they are diagnosed but will probably need insulin in the future. How soon they will be insulin dependent depends on the level of antibody they have in their blood. Higher levels of antibodies suggest a faster progression to insulin. People with low levels of antibodies are very similar to type 2 diabetes patients. This means they are more likely to be over weight and have some insulin resistance. They are likely to benefit from tablets that act on insulin resistance. People with very high antibody levels are similar to type 1 diabetes. This means they are likely to have acute symptoms (thirst, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, dry mouth) and are less likely to be overweight. They are likely to need insulin treatment soon after diagnosis