Monday, April 14, 2008

Raise your voice

I am raising my voice for Type 1 diabetes, although I admit this content has appeared before. I think it's important, though. It's about LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults).

This information comes from research, but mainly from experience and reports from out "in the field."

LADA is autoimmune diabetes just like regular Type 1, but it is often misdiagnosed as Type 2. That's because it occurs in adults over 25 and because the onset can take 6-8 years. (While regular Type 1 can occur at any age, the onset is sudden).

How to tell the difference between LADA and Type 2:

- Positive antibody test -- while a negative antibody test is not conclusive, a positive result indicates Type 1 or LADA.

- Weight -- Type 2s on the thinner side are very uncommon except in certain genetically susceptible subgroups of Native Americans, Asians (South Asians, Japanese), Hispanics, Scandinavians, and African Americans. It would be unusual for someone very thin or underweight, and/or in great athletic shape to develop Type 2.

- Family history. Someone with a long family history of diabetes is more likely to have Type 2, although it could be argued that many of these could be unrecognized cases of MODY.

- Weight loss -- Unexplained weight loss before or around diagnosis is associated with Type 1 or LADA, not Type 2.

- Ketones -- Moderate or high ketones are rare in cases of Type 2 and generally only occur in people who have had Type 2 for a very long period of time and no longer make insulin. Moderate or high ketones at diagnosis tend to indicate Type 1 or LADA.

- Progression to insulin -- LADA results in insulin dependence much sooner than Type 2, even within a year of diagnosis. This is working from the outmoded belief that insulin should be prescribed when it's no longer avoidable, though.

- Response to oral medications -- LADA does not respond well, or for very long, to medications used to treat Type 2.

- C-peptide -- This level will decline rapidly as compared with Type 2. In some people in the very early stages of LADA, C-peptide may actually be elevated and seem to indicate Type 2. However, the ensuing quick decline in C-peptide is indicative of LADA.

- Insulin resistance -- LADA is not associated with insulin resistance, although see C-peptide.

- Triglycerides and blood pressure -- these are usually elevated with Type 2, but not usually with LADA.

- Low carb doesn't work -- Assuming none or only moderate overweight, going on a low carb diet does not work to control blood sugars.

- Hypoglycemia -- anecdotal evidence suggests a history of hypoglycemia prior to diagnosis might be associated with LADA.

- Inconsistent blood sugars -- The honeymoon phase in LADA can last several years. During this time, the beta cells often work or not work somewhat intermittently.

Why does it really matter if it's LADA or Type 2?

- Seriousness -- Sadly, Type 1 is often treated more "seriously" and aggressively by doctors and insurance. It can be difficult to get adequate treatment or have insurance pay for the right treatment unless one is classed as a Type 1 rather than a Type 2 (insurance companies only believe in two types of diabetes). Insurance companies will often only cover insulin pumps for Type 1.

- Treatment -- People with LADA should be treated like early Type 1s, not like Type 2s. Early treatment with insulin is believed by many to reduce the workload on the beta cells and preserve their function longer. This is important because retaining some insulin production for as long as possible reduces hypoglycemia and the risk of DKA. Also, background insulin can for most reduce the unpredictability of the beta cells working intermittently.

- Danger -- LADA is subject to the same dangers as Type 1. A few people are diagnosed in DKA (usually as Type 1), but after treatment have a sort of "remission" due to the extended honeymoon period. Still, DKA can occur on rare occasions if insulin production suddenly stops.

So how can I tell if I have LADA instead of Type 2?

- positive antibody test (you can stop now) or low C-peptide?
- quite thin or active and in good shape?
- unexplained weight loss?
- no insulin resistance?
- have you had moderate or high ketones?
- low triglycerides and normal blood pressure?
- high or variable blood sugar despite oral medications and/or low carb diet?
- quick progression to insulin?

11 comments:

Val said...

Very good post - how I wish my idiot ex-doctor had read it, instead of putting me through months of ultra-low-carb dieting when I was dropping weight like mad...

Beth said...

Great post, great info. I wish that endos were on here today reading all of these posts....

Lili said...

Val - I know what you mean. I'd been doing lowish carb for a couple years before being diagnosed, even! Yet my (quack) first endo told me I was a "typical Type 2."

Beth - thanks. Me, too.

manny hernandez said...

Hey there!

I also blogged about type 1.5!

Big hug, colleague!!! :)

Kerri. said...

Thanks for the information on LADA - there's so much I still have to learn!

AmyT said...

Hey there fellow LADA,

I happened to do a big post about LADA today, too. Check it out at

http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/04/all-about-lad-1.html

Best,
AmyT

Lili said...

Manny - Hi!

Kerri - You're welcome!

Amy - Thanks. I commented on it this morning. ;)

Crystal said...

Hi Lili,

Thanks for the comment. I am still in NY.

Those programs are "tied" to Medicaid, meaning they use the same perimeters for qualification. Simply put, I make too much money.

The other programs NY offers are too much money and subpar coverage.

It is a tough one but I will find a way.

Thank you!

Jonah said...

Weight loss can happen in type 2, especially less rapid weight loss. A lot of people with t2 have told me that they had some weight loss before they diagnosed with diabetes.

Lili said...

Jonah - Right. I had another word in there - "generally." I'm not sure what happened. I thought I caught all the issues with things not pasting, but apparently I missed that one.

Unknown said...

Diabetes today is a major problem in the UK and in the rest of the world; the treatment of which costs millions of pounds for which purchasing medical insurance for diabetics is a good solution. This is special form of health insurance coverage that helps people with Type 1 and 2 as well as gestational diabetes buys protection against rising costs of treatment.