Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) – What It Is?

Ever heard of LADA? 

Imagine you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond, experiencing unusual symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. You might dismiss it as aging or Type 2 diabetes, but LADA has its unique features.

That’s Latent Autoimmune Diabetes or LADA. It’s not a common term, but it’s another type of adult diabetes. LADA, or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, is distinct from Type 1 and Type 2. 

What makes it interesting is that LADA has features of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type-1 diabetes, which occurs in childhood and requires immediate insulin, LADA progresses slowly.

It typically begins with oral medications used for Type 2 diabetes, but eventually, some with LADA may also require insulin. 

Let’s dig deeper and learn more about what it is.

What Happens in Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)?

The cause of LADA is similar to that of type 1 diabetes, except that it occurs in adulthood in the thirties when the immune system attacks the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells. Some of the distinctive features are:

1. Gradual Progression

Unlike the abrupt onset of Type 1 diabetes, LADA progresses slowly. The immune system slowly damages the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Due to this gradual damage, the pancreas becomes less capable of producing enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels effectively.

2. Delayed Insulin Requirement

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, people diagnosed with LADA may not immediately require insulin therapy. Some people can manage their condition with oral medications for months to even years after diagnosis.

When a significant number of beta cells, responsible for insulin production, are damaged, insulin therapy becomes necessary.

3. Blood Sugar Levels

Over time, as more insulin-producing cells are destroyed, blood sugar levels tend to rise gradually, resembling the pattern seen in Type 2 diabetes.

4. Genetic Markers

 People with LADA often possess genetic markers associated with Type 1 diabetes. This suggests they may eventually need insulin therapy, even if it’s not immediate.

5. Misdiagnosis

 LADA can be challenging to diagnose correctly because it shares characteristics with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

The Key Features of  LADA

Symptoms of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes that You may Notice

LADA symptoms are very similar to those of any other type of diabetes. The symptoms occur slowly, definitely above the age of 30, and often go unnoticed. To name a few:

1. Increased Thirst
2. Frequent Urination
3. Unintentional Weight Loss
4. Lethargy and Drowsiness After Eating
5. Blurred Vision
6. Nausea and Vomiting

How Do You Diagnose Latent Autoimmune Diabetes?

It starts with symptoms that have gradually developed over time. When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor is going to classify the kind of diabetes you have. This requires specific tests to show consistently high blood sugar levels. 

Then, the Doctor prescribes medication to control blood sugar. Only if the symptoms do not improve with the prescribed oral medication will your doctor suspect Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LADA). 

Certain typical aspects of LADA are:

1. Age: 30-50 years old
2. No obesity, sometimes even weight loss

Your Doctor will confirm if you have LADA through blood tests that detect antibodies that attack insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the steps:

1. Thorough history taking. This involves an understanding of the onset of diabetes, other health factors if any, and medications taken
2. A detailed health check-up for signs and symptoms.

Investigations

1. Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibodies (GADA) screening
2. If Positive, serum C-peptide levels are measured in the blood. 

Depending on the results, your doctor will help you understand if it is LADA or conventional Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. 

Treatment Options for LADA

1. Lifestyle Modifications

This is the same across all types of diabetes management. A diabetes-friendly diet, exercise, good sleep, and stress management play a key role in the long-term management of diabetes. The slow destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing cells necessitates the use of insulin treatment. The best way to detect this early is to see your physician regularly.

2. Doctor’s Advice

Your doctor will help you manage LADA effectively. Insulin or oral drugs will be prescribed as per your blood sugar response.

FitterTake

LADA  (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) is often misunderstood and diagnosed late, making it even more important to be aware of it. Diagnosis of LADA might be tricky, but with regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, correct antibody tests, and lifestyle modifications, LADA can be tackled hassle-free.

This is where the diabetologists and dieticians in Fitterfly Diabetes Prime Programme can contribute to your diabetes journey.  

You can speak with us by just giving us a missed call at 08069450746, and we will get back to you. Together, let us make the journey towards healing from diabetes more healthy and enjoyable.

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