LADA is an autoimmune diabetes condition just like type 1 diabetes. It happens when the body's antibodies attack the insulin making cells of the pancreas.
"Many researchers believe LADA, sometimes called type 1.5 diabetes, is a subtype of type 1 diabetes, while others do not recognize it as a distinct entity. Other researchers believe diabetes occurs on a continuum, with LADA falling between type 1 and type 2 diabetes," experts at MayoClinic say.
People with LADA are often misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes because the symptoms of this diabetes show up over the age of 30.
LADA is mostly seen in those aged above 30-35 years
By definition, LADA is diabetes for adults.
The Immunology for Diabetes Society (IDS) identifies LADA under three criteria: on the basis of age which is more than 30 years, no dependency on insulin for at least the initial 6 months after initial diagnosis and positive autoantibodies to islet beta cells.
Those with LADA show signs like polyuria-the condition where the body urinates more often than normal, polydipsia-the condition of excessive thirst, nocturia-the need to wake up at night frequently to urinate, fatigue, visual changes, and tingling in the feet.
Weight loss is another classic sign of LADA and a history of low birth weight is a strong risk factor for this condition.
As per a study weight loss, low BMI is a parameter to detect three fourths of LADA cases.
Though it is similar to type 1 diabetes, in LADA the symptoms take time to progress due to which the person may not need medicines for up to six months.
Initially, LADA can be managed by making healthy lifestyle choices like good diet, exercising and medications but gradually when the symptoms worsen one may need insulin shots.
What are the tests those with LADA should get done regularly?
Those with LADA should regularly check their blood glucose level through the existing tests for diabetes.
Apart from this these patients should check their lipid profile, glomerular filtration rate, serum creatinine, albumin, peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy.
LADA is seen in those who are above 30 because the symptoms take time to show.
Often LADA is misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes. "If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and you're lean and physically active or you've recently lost weight without effort, talk with your doctor about whether your current treatment is still the best one for you," experts at MayoClinic suggest.
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