I usually say adult onset type 1 when I am asked what type I am.
Brandy,
LADA= “Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults”…It is when Adults, typically over 25, are diagnosed with type1. Often, because of our age, we are initially misdiagnosed as T2. This article "What’s In A Name helps explain LADA. It is dated 2003 and even after 5 years the term is still not widely recognized or used.
Thnaks. I get it now. I am a nursing student and our 2008 textbooks make no mention of it either. What we are being taught is that the terms type 1, type 2, and juvenile diabetes are being phased out. We refer only to insulin dependant and non-insulin dependant. No matter how it is referenced, it is always confusing to a newly diagnosed patient. We are taught that type1/IDDM diabetes can strike at any age, and can have a honeymoon period of a couple of months to a couple of years in some cases. And then of course there is the gestational type and insipidus, but that is something else entirely.
Thanks for clearing it up. It would help if they taught us these things - even if only to know what a patient is refering to.
On forums, like this one, that have an option for Type 1.5 (LADA), then I select it, because I am LADA. When asked in person, I also say I’ve got an unusual form of Type 1, as it saves confusion and helps people understand why I take shots all the time. Of course, I elaborate as needed.
I understand your frustration. I do not know exactly whatthey teach in Med school, as I am only a nursing student. But I imagine that most residents/interns have a basic understanding of diabetes untilthey do their internal medicine rotation. In studying endocrinology in nursing school, I guess I understand that it is easier to think that way because we learn that the thymus gland generally works until about puberty, when most patients develop type 1, then begins to atrify. But there are always deviations to the norm. I have see babies personally as early as 2 months old be diagosed with type 1, and in theory, they don’t even have an active thymus gland yet. An canyou imagine - they don’t usually get diagnosed until they are wasting away, because you cant really tell thata neonate is thirsty or urinating more frequently. I understand that doctors sometimes get a bit too booksmart, and expect each patient to present clinicaly as a textbook. Frustrating.
yea, T1. not worth the hassle explaining everytime. either way you get that stare, i guess
I was diagnosed a year ago, I just tell everyone that I’m a type 1. Saying type 1.5 people look at me like I am crazy or it begins questions that I find no one really cares about anyway. I am so happy to have found this website, I have been looking for others like me!!!
While I have never been LABELED type-1 or type 1.5, I have been labeled DM2 “insulin required”, IDDM and jsut plain type-2 (on insulin)…
I am, and ahve always bee a little different. I was warned at age 14 I would end up taking shots, but I did not want to hear or think about that and did not have any real problems till my 30s. My REAL problems started when I had a sore throat and landed in the hospital eventualy. (long story).
When I was 15 a dentist noted my teeth were going bad from the inside, I was hsopitalized for 5 weeks then home 2 weeks before returning to school while everyone else was back to work/school in 2 weeks. Developed an eye problem at 16 (possable diabetes related) and in retrospect several other POSSABLE symptoms of elivated BS levels, even if not quite diabetic, long before I was actally Dx’d…
Now I am looking at a decline in kidney function, got 2 phone calls last week after my last labs to move up my next nephrologist’s apt…(now set for next week)
(&( GOMER
I tell my friends and acquaintences that I am Type 1. Although I was diagnosed at 48, people are not educated enough to realize that it is not a clear-cut rule that you get Type 2 when you are older. I guess we fell through the cracks. When I was diagnosed, I was in a high level managment job in retail. My boss was less than sympathetic and did everything in her power to jeopardize my job and health. It was pure hell. So, I got out. There is no way I could have stayed in a job like that with erractic hours, not being able to take breaks when needed, etc. But I made the right decision for my health and I’m glad I did.
Like others I say that I’m 1.5 on forums. The doctor in hospital when he gave me the diagnosis said that I had type 1… 'or maybe you could describe it as 1.5 ’ (I was 54). He was a specialist. I find I have to go into explanations to other doctors who can’t understand how I can only have had type 1 for a few years. Since diagnosis I’ve discovered that there are many people developing it at a later age. Some sources suggest that perhaps 10% of people diagnosed with type 2 may in fact have LADA. I went on a course with six other people recently diagnosed with LADA , and I live in a sparsely populated area of rural France.
What I think is dangerous is that very few general sources( internet or books) suggest that it is possible to get a slow developing type of type 1 at an older age. Most say that type 1 occurs normally before 25-30 and that it has a rapid onset. Because of this, I neglected my symptoms for 3 years. I was pretty certain I had diabetes but I already ate healthily, exercised, and had rapidly lost the few excess pounds I had put on in recent years. In fact I was very thin. In my head I thought that I was obviously doing everything a doctor would tell me to do to so why get an unnecessary ‘label?’ Three years later I ended up in hospital as an emergency admission.
I was always saying Type 1.5 until I converted to insulin. Now I will say insulin dependant. The doctor rediagnosed me as a Type 1 the last time I was in. If people ask, I will explain LADA to them.
I used too until the honeymoon ended in a fight where my pancreas took off and did some mean and nasty things. We don’t get along anymore even though I am willing to look past earlier indiscretions.
It’s just easier for me to say Type 1. I’ve not heard of the “double diabetes” term either though. Off to go look into that.
That pancreas is a dang HO, David. You’re a far better person for forgiving her. 