LADA:
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults
Diagnosing For Good Diabetic Health
LADA, sometimes referred to as type 1.5 diabetes, is the shortened version of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes In Adults. Often this condition is mis-diagnosed as type 2 diabetes because of the similarity of the two conditions at the onset. LADA is an autoimmune disorder which can be defined as your body mistakenly assumes your pancreas is an "invader". Your immune system therefore sends "attack" cells whose sole purpose is to damage and destroy the pancreas. Over time, your pancreas will stop producing insulin.. Could You Possibly Have Latent Auto-Immune Diabetes?If you have been diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic and yet you have questioned how can this be accurate, check into the clues which point to this condition.- your weight is completely normal and you are an active individual everyday
- you are younger than 50 years of age
- you eventually will require insulin because none of the oral medications will eventually lower your blood sugars as your pancreas' ability to emit insulin fails.
- you have no family history on either side of the family with diabetes
- you or someone in your family may have a history of rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid problems
Often individuals with this type of diabetes will be incorrectly diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic even though some of the above major signs are prevalent in this patient. Is An Incorrect Diagnosis A Deterrent To My Future CarePatients with this condition always do seem to start out with the symptoms of a type 2 diabetic. This is the main reason for the confusion at first diagnosis. All patients will be placed on oral meds for a treatment program and will be asked to follow a good diet and exercise program. Since this individual is already routinely exercising and eating correctly, the addition of the medications will promise good results for several years.Gradually though, the beta cells in the pancreas have been continuously attacked by the immune system. Your pancreas eventually will stop producing insulin. For no apparent reason the patient will notice the meds, exercise and good diet will no longer control their blood sugars.An insulin injection therapy must be initiated for better control. It is usually during this phase the doctor realizes the original diagnosis must be changed. Although LADA was not the original diagnosis, treatment protocols would not have been any different. The patient themselves though, when they realize the difficulties they are experiencing with their sugar levels, must speak up and advise their health care team. Ultimately, several lab tests are available which can confirm the new diagnosis. So to date, research and the medical community itself has more questions than answers about this sub-set of diabetic patients. All of the how, when, why and where are trying to be determined through continuous testing and research. To date though, LADA is an easily controllable condition if you the patient are willing to put forth the effort needed to contain your disease.
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