Understanding Type 1.5 Diabetes
Millions of adults are affected by a lesser-known form of diabetes, often referred to as "type 1.5" or Latent Auto-Immune Diabetes (LADA).
The symptoms of LADA are similar to those of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, making it challenging to diagnose. Despite being recognized as a distinct form of diabetes since 1993, LADA is often misdiagnosed, with
as many as 14 per cent of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetespotentially having LADA instead.
LADA accounts for 3-12 per cent of all diabetes cases in adults and is characterized by an imbalance of sugar, or glucose, in the blood, similar to type 1 and 2 diabetes.
To identify LADA, it's essential to understand its similarities and differences with type 1 and 2 diabetes, as the core set of symptoms can be identical.
Author's summary: Type 1.5 diabetes affects millions, often misdiagnosed as type 2.