Exploring Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA): Insights and Management

Explore the Symptoms, Misdiagnosis, and Management of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA), Including Insights from Lance Bass's Journey.

NSYNC star Lance Bass was recently diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes, shining a spotlight on this unique form of the disease. Here’s what you need to know.

Most of the conversation surrounding diabetes focuses on the Type 1 and Type 2 forms of the disease. This makes sense since national statistics show more than 90% of all diabetes cases (over 38 million Americans) fall under the Type 2 category, and Type 1 diabetes tends to occur in the vulnerable childhood years, making it especially challenging for both kids and parents.

But there’s another type of diabetes out there that is worthy of a conversation, and it’s getting one thanks to recent headlines revolving around Lance Bass of the popular male vocal group NSYNC and his recent diagnosis of Type 1.5 diabetes.

What is Type 1.5 Diabetes?

Type 1.5 diabetes, also known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA), is a form of the disease that behaves a little bit like Type 2 diabetes and also resembles Type 1 diabetes in many important ways.

It was first identified in the mid-1970s, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s before science started to theorize about the disease as a variant of Type 1 diabetes, which is a bit odd as the development of the disease is more in tune with what occurs in people with Type 2 diabetes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, as with Type 2 diabetes, LADA manifests very gradually, starting slowly and becoming worse over time. Therefore, at the onset of the condition, there are rarely any telltale symptoms. However, unlike Type 2 diabetes, LADA is unrelated to lifestyle factors such as weight, diet, and physical activity.

The root cause of Type 1.5 diabetes resembles that of Type 1 diabetes. Blood sugar rises due to an autoimmune response that destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. The major difference is that with Type 1.5 diabetes, this process happens very slowly, which is why it is usually not detected in a person until they are over 30 years old.

Misdiagnosing Type 1.5 Diabetes

Because it comes on later in life, LADA is often initially diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. However, most people with Type 1.5 diabetes do not present the common comorbidities associated with Type 2 diabetes, most notably obesity. So, if you are lean and fit but have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you may very well have LADA. If you suspect this is the case, the Mayo Clinic recommends speaking with your diabetes physician to see if some modifications to your treatment plan might benefit you.

Lance Bass is someone who knows the misdiagnosis process all too well. In an article posted on Times Now, Bass talks about his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis that had him ineffectively treating his diabetes for years.

“When I was first diagnosed, I had a difficult time getting my glucose levels under control, even though I made adjustments to my diet, my medications, and my workout routine,” he said, “Things just weren’t adding up.”

Once diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes, Bass was able to gain greater blood sugar control by adjusting his diabetes treatment plan to address the specific blood sugar needs of this unique form of diabetes.

It’s estimated that at least 10% of people diagnosed with diabetes have the Type 1.5 form of the disease. Many of these people may be experiencing frustrations similar to Lance Bass's in their blood sugar control if misdiagnosed.

Managing Type 1.5 Diabetes

Treating LADA presents some unique opportunities and challenges when compared to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Because Type 1.5 diabetes progresses so slowly, many people can initially manage it with lifestyle changes, such as healthier dietary choices, losing any excess weight they might be carrying, and exercising more regularly. For some people, oral medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes can also be beneficial for improving blood sugar control during the earlier stages of LADA.

However, at some point, Type 1.5 diabetes will reach a threshold where insulin is needed. As with Type 1 diabetes, this is an autoimmune condition that destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. As these cells diminish in number and the body becomes unable to process blood sugar properly, it is virtually inevitable that supplemental insulin will be needed for the rest of a person’s life once that threshold is reached.

Symptoms of Type 1.5 Diabetes

The symptoms of all types of diabetes overlap significantly, which is why so many people are misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. They include:

• Frequent/Unusually Intense Thirst
• Increased Urination
• Fatigue
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Blurry Vision
• Increased Appetite
• Frequent Infections
• Dry or Itchy Skin
• Numbness/Tingling In Hands & Feet

In cases of Type 1.5 diabetes, these symptoms tend to develop more slowly than with Type 1 and more rapidly than with Type 2. If you experience these symptoms and have not been diagnosed with diabetes, you should get tested at your physician’s office. A simple blood test can determine a diabetes diagnosis.