LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults)

[@howardkamerman690]

My pancrease nearly quit in 2001 I nearly died. 2022 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and diverticulitis and congestive heart disease. It’s been a rolercoaster. I’ve got a pacemaker. It’s very hard to regulate my. Glucose I’ve had to give up the good stuff I’m 71 yrs I’ve had a good life but I’m not giving up my wife and daughter help me a lot. 😊the latest grand daughter is such an angel she takes to me a lot!! I’ve got 2 girls and 2 sons I’m proud of them all. We have a nurse and a doctor in our family god has been real good to us. Your story helped me a lot! Thank you.

[@TCOYDtv]

Any medical illness can make blood sugars harder to control, and certain medications like steroids can also wreak havoc on blood sugars. Sorry for all you are going through but hang in there - sounds like you have a great support system!

[@gabbaba1234]

Good stuff! I was actually diagnosed correctly from the start by a doctor in the ER who recognized the differences in symptoms mentioned. I had DKA presenting around 500s at 29. I can't imagine the frustration others may have felt. The education posted in videos like this really assist doctors in questioning their own biases. I asked the ER doc how she arrived at this conclusion so quickly. She mentioned she had CE three months prior on LADA. It really shows how badly this info needs to be distributed.

[@TCOYDtv]

Agree - thanks for sharing your experience!

[@wompol7117]

same here. to ED with 965 BG and DKA coma for four days. tested for pancreatic GAD antibodies -very high titers,

[@jameslea312]

When I was diagnosed in ‘21 at 25 years old they tested for GAD and my C peptide. While on the lower side, my C peptide was still technically in a normal range. But there was a presence of GAD which sealed my fate. It was probably 6 months of Lantas and then full MDI after that. Decently fast progression. Thanks for the informative video, as much as I hate being diabetic I do really enjoy learning more and more about it.

[@TCOYDtv]

We're both sorry and glad you're part of the TCOYD family...but it is a pretty fun group! Thanks for watching, and let us know if there is anything in particular you have questions on anytime!

[@YounessOu]

it's crazy that I was diagnosed with this exactly at the time you uploaded this video

[@debbiesearle8442]

Thanks so much this is the best explanation by far I have come across for LADA. I was miss diagnosed as type 2 for 5 years before experiencing DKA and ending up in ICU where I was diagnosed with LADA. It sure has been a steep learning curve since diagnosis nearly 4 years ago but so grateful for access to information like on TCOYD even on the other side of the world. In Australia. Keep up the great work team. Debbie

[@TCOYDtv]

Thanks so much, Debbie. It is tough for sure to not have the right diagnosis from the get go. Glad we have been able to help.

[@genm303]

Thank you! Great information, best I've come across and very helpful to me...diagnosed with LADA age 71 so came as a bit of a shock but coping with it.

[@TCOYDtv]

Oh goodness! If you have questions about anything please let us know...there's definitely a lot to learn. :)

[@sharonolang-yj4gk]

This lecture is phenomenal. Thank you.

[@TCOYDtv]

Appreciate it - it's an important topic for sure. Too many misdiagnoses.

[@biagio230]

I am a 49 year old male. Was misdiagnosed one year ago on T2D (but just slightly overweight with BMI still below 30) and finally yesterday got the diagnosed with Lada, after blood panel test on all antibodies(3 values to high).

[@TCOYDtv]

Glad you were finally able to get the right testing and the right diagnosis.

[@darcysbestlife]

This is so helpful! I put my symptoms into ChatGPT and it spit out LADA. my primary doctor wasn’t familiar with it

[@TCOYDtv]

Creative way to use Chat GPT. Show your doctor this video!

[@yennyjen5742]

What ChatGPT? I tried to look it up but had a couple websites showing differently sites. I don’t fit for type 2, metformin it’s not working, I was tested for lada and type 1 but came negative 😢

[@peeezn]

Hi thanks for the helpful video, would you please find time please to answers couple of my questions. I appreciate it very much. I am 44, 193, 93kg, was diagnosed with LADA two months ago, where my zinc transporter was the only antibody that was high. (127RE/ml). And I got into hospital with 730 sugar. I assume I am now in that honeymoon phase. I take only basal (4-5IE) once in the morning, my CGM average now 6,2 and 123, so it is all ok for now, waiting for the future to come. But anyways. Can you assume how long it can that remission take/remain with only zinc being high ? Or how slow or fast are the Beta cells destroyed with only zinc transporter antibodies present ? I find online only how long it may last if you have GAD positive, or IAA (months or years), nothing about zinc transporter ? Is there any study on how fast it gets destroyed with those zinc Transporter antibodies? Or there is no ways to predict something like this? Or what test would help to get the info? And than, if I may, i am now 2 months into Lada and i still have symptoms, like tingling in hands and feet, dry itchy skin, blurred vision. Are those symptoms for ever, or can I somehow get rid of them, or can I do something against them and if yes, what? everybody is mentioning these symptoms but that’s all, nothing about how to treat them. Thank you very very much

[@TCOYDtv]

There might be data on that one singe autoantibody, however I’m not aware of any. There’s no way to predict how long the honeymoon phase will be, but the best thing to do is to keep your blood sugars in good control, as they are now. Regarding your symptoms, blurred vision is typically due to rapidly changing blood sugars, and it should only last several weeks...not too much longer than that. Tingling in hands and feet and itchy skin doesn’t really make sense in someone with early type 1 diabetes. It would be important to see your primary care doctor or endocrinologist and ask about those symptoms.

[@ih7942]

Great info. I wish I could carry this around and play for people so they understand that despite the age of onset, it is not a reversible lifestyle induced condition. Thankfully my endocrinologist is excellent and I was diagnosed correctly (sky hi gada, and lada is my 3rd autoimmune dx). But it did take some prodding on my part to get diagnosed. After a few years of strict carb reduction and monitoring Im now on a pump and cgm. Thankful for this technology but having to think about it 24/7 is a bummer. Also gaining 15 lbs once insulin started is another bummer (bmi is still normal). Also, my a1c does not 'track' properly in the words of my doc. Makes it all more difficult. Wonder if anyone else has this issue?

[@TopgunB]

No mention of measuring C peptide and fasting Insulin diagnostic for Type I and very helpful in LADA or did I just miss it? I know most ordinary doctors hardly ever look at them and don't often know how to interpret them but I know that's not the case for endocrinologists?

[@TCOYDtv]

Insulin levels and C-peptide are not helpful in LADA because people with LADA can still secrete some insulin, so the GAD is the most specific way to diagnose LADA. C-peptide can be very misleading.

[@MrHeat1up]

This information is very helpful, but the information still leads you to the doctors office on some sort of prescription drug. 😢 We need to dig deeper into the cause or deficiency of the body to properly treat the patients.

[@kayla764]

This was so helpful, thank you!!

[@TCOYDtv]

You're welcome - so glad it helped!

[@jenni_penguin]

Going through blood work right now for all this 😩 doc mentioned perhaps its diabetes. I'm losing so much weight, today I'm 127 and just end of February was 145. A year ago and a half from today i was 200 lbs. I just keep going down and not trying to. I did start watching what i ate my i feel once i hit 150 there was no reason to lose more. I eat, i do. Last two days ive intentionally ate so much more and I'm stil at 127. I have lupus, so i figured this was all lupus related. But now I'm itching, slow to heal, the brain fog is so much worse, so fatigued for the last 4 months, when the 6 months prior i thought i was feeling "better". Oh and the last 4 months, blurry or hazy vision, like feels i have watery eyes but they arent watery, longer to focus ugh. Oh and been on my period for 10 weeks. I never thought this could be diabetes related, just lupus or something. I was really shocked to hear possible diabetes from the doc. I should get a call soon this week with results. Its driving me a bit crazy now 😭

[@TCOYDtv]

That's a lot to deal with for sure...if you are concerned that it could be type 1 diabetes, ask your doctor for the GAD autoantibody testing.

[@jenni_penguin]

@TCOYDtv thank you, I certainly will!

[@janinew4277]

What is the difference between T1b and LADA? My husband has been diagnosed twice with T1b but our new doctor is now calling this LADA. He was diagnosed at 25, no antibodies, strong family history, athletic build, insulin within a short time. Is T1b and LADA the same thing? I cannot find the answer anywhere.

[@TCOYDtv]

Thanks for your question - it is confusing. LADA is type 1 diabetes. It just means that someone was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult. (Years ago type 1 diabetes was referred to as "juvenile diabetes" because it was primarily diagnosed in children). There are certain symptoms in LADA patients (like a slower loss of beta cells) that characterize LADA specifically, but ultimately it's type 1 diabetes. There is also a type of type 1 diabetes called autoantibody-negative type 1 diabetes Lots to absorb, but hope that helps!

[@wompol7117]

how common is brittle diabetes in LADA patients???

[@TCOYDtv]

I love this question because the word brittle is thrown around a lot. It just means unpredictable fluctuations in blood sugars, and that describes the very typical person with type 1 diabetes. People with LADA generally don't bounce around as much because they still can secrete some amount of insulin and they seem to be less "brittle". I find that the only brittle people around are the healthcare providers who don't know anything about managing diabetes!

[@Vipin21o3]

Hi, I am 34 and I was tested for DM last year with Hba1c of 6.9, I am as of today at 6.6 with following a regular diet plan and daily exercise, I did my fasting C-peptide today first time and it 0.52 ng/ml against a normal range of 0.8-3.8, I am lean, doc said he is sure I am type 2, waht do you think?, thanks.

[@TCOYDtv]

The first thing I suggest is to find a doctor who went to a good medical school. The second thing is, you are definitely not a type 2! You are most likely LADA with a slow beta cell destruction and thanks to your lifestyle efforts, you're doing excellent. My question to you is, did you get tested for insulin autoantibodies?

[@SailorSlay]

I’m going to ask my doctor about LADA because I’ve been having similar symptoms for years now. Is it possible for LADA to be triggered by pregnancy. These symptoms really kicked off after I began having children at 25

[@TCOYDtv]

Probably best to check with your provider in your situation.

[@erikawestphal5697]

Is it possible to get LADA at 23 years old and need insulin right away?

[@TCOYDtv]

Posting here too in case you don't see our other comment on the other video: Because you have positive antibodies, you have type 1 diabetes, and LADA means that you picked it up so early, you didn't have symptoms or your blood sugar wasn't totally through the roof. It doesn't sound like you ever went into ketoacidosis, and you were able to tolerate the high blood sugars, so I think you may have had LADA that was just poorly treated, and because you had LADA you didn't go into ketoacidosis like most type 1s. The bottom line is that you have type 1 diabetes and it sounds like you're doing great on insulin. I hope you have a CGM and would consider a hybrid closed-loop system one of these days.

[@mazingworldofmegan8906]

I think I have LADA. Progressive symptoms since I was 19, I'm 33 now, and all my labs have been pretty much perfect. My glucose this year has been prediabetic range. Images have shown enlarged liver, gallbladder issues and rapid gastric emptying. My ANA panel was normal with the exception of the speckled pattern which was high. I've tried different low carb diets over the last 3 years but have begun to become insulin resistant a few months ago. I'm holding my glucose levels steady in prediabetic ranges by eating 20 or less carbs a day

[@TCOYDtv]

Have you had any of the type 1 diabetes autoantibody tests run?

[@mazingworldofmegan8906]

@@TCOYDtv not all of them but some of the more common ones I believe were checked about 5 years ago. It's been a pain getting scheduled with the rheumatologist but my fasting and after meals glucose levels are consistently above 108 and higher. I can go back through my labs and try to get a list of what has been checked

[@mazingworldofmegan8906]

@@TCOYDtv in June 2024 I had an ANA panel done I tested negative for the following: centromere antibody, DS DNA AB, SM antibody, Anti U1 RNP RDL, Sjogren's antibody ss-B, SCL-70 antibody, Cardiolipin RDL, Cardiolipin Ab Iga/IgM, c3 complement, c4 complement, thyroid peroxidaseAb, chromatin Ab IgG, CCP Antibodies IgG/IgA, Rheumatoid factor by URB RDL. High for speckled pattern and positive for Anti-nuclear AB by IFA RDL. My A1C at the same time was 5.5 (steadily rising over the last decade) and my glucose was finally high at 108. My fasting insulin these days is always over 100 and it is usually increased by 5 x the number of total carbs I eat at the 2 hr after mark.

[@TCOYDtv]

Please see the recommended type 1 diabetes autoantibody tests in this article here: tcoyd.org/2023/10/i-screen-you-screenwhy-everyone-should-be-screened-for-t1d/ In a nutshell, here are the autoantibodies we look for: Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADAs) Insulinoma-associated-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A) Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) Islet cell antibodies (ICAs) Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) The presence of one or more autoantibodies can help determine which stage of type 1 diabetes someone is in, including its earliest stages, before any symptoms are present.

[@mazingworldofmegan8906]

@@TCOYDtv thank you so much

[@grumpyinbrooklyn6347]

I got diagnosed with type 2 years ago, but I always though it was somewhat atypical, as remission on a verly low carb diet did happen but didn't stick. My C-peptide and fasting insulin were never high (a bit weird as that is common in early type 2) and never had issues with high tyriglycerides even before reducing carbs. Metformin didn't help at all either. Eventually my endo screened me for the antibodies and they came back negative, but my C-peptide kept slowly dropping . About a year and a half ago, things started to pick up speed. At this point I'm on MDI and with the last two C-peptides showing clear insulin insufficiency. So not T2D after all.

[@TCOYDtv]

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check all four autoantibodies one more time, and there is also a formal category of diabetes called "antibody negative type 1 diabetes".

[@grumpyinbrooklyn6347]

@@TCOYDtv Yes, but the problem is that insurance is playing cheap after person sent the last lab requesting only GAD! I might need to wait almost a year to get those covered now. They are pretty sure I'm that antibody negative type 1 diabetes thing if it came back negative anyway. Incidentally, my 17 yo came up GAD positive and seems to be developing a sort of "teen age LADA". We are testing every 3 months, since last December, as she is already dysglycemic and her C-peptide seems to be dropping!

[@TCOYDtv]

Interesting for sure. You may also want to consider Tzield for your daughter...something to talk about with your healthcare team.

[@Rhanyra]

hi! I was diagnosed type 2 when I was 25. But after a few years I was put on insulin because the pills werent keeping me controlled. I lost 60 pounds! Then I started going into DKA every year. Now I am 37, My doctor says I *probably* have lada, and now i have afib, high blood pressure and have to see a kidney specialist.

[@TCOYDtv]

That is often the case for people with type 1. Has your doctor run the proper tests to confirm his type 1 suspicion?

[@Rhanyra]

@@TCOYDtv he referred me to an endo who put the orders in for the testing. I just havent done it yet. But I will be doing all my blood labs this week. Just got out of the hospital and don't have any good veins left so have to wait for them to heal.

[@Rhanyra]

@@TCOYDtv the crazy part though is I remember having symptoms of hypoglycemia when I was a teenager. But my family was poor and we didnt go to the doctor so theres no way I could have been diagnosed with type 1 as a child.

[@SuperPromethee]

my c-peptide is ...0.6 after lunch...am i...? im using only insulin injection...and im 50, diagnosed as diabetics 4 years ago...

[@TCOYDtv]

If you aren't sure if you have type 1 or type 2, talk to your doctor and have him or her run GAD tests which will determine a type 1 diagnosis.

[@yennyjen5742]

If one was tested for type 1 and lada gad 65 antibodies and came negative.. is it possible to develop it overtime since I don’t fit in the perfil for type 2? I was tested for mody too. Negative. Metformin hasn’t move my numbers, actually my a1c went from 5.9 to 6.1 while on it

[@TCOYDtv]

It sounds like we aren't sure exactly what type of diabetes you have, but you do have insulin secretion based on your numbers, and your A1c is extremely low. Do not worry. If your A1c starts to creep up further you can be tested for type 1 again, and there are multiple autoantibodies you can test. You can read more about that here: tcoyd.org/2023/10/i-screen-you-screenwhy-everyone-should-be-screened-for-t1d/

[@yennyjen5742]

@@TCOYDtv is it? My dr told me anything above 6 was considered diabetes and since I come from a long family history of diabetes she told me it’s in my genes and urged me to start the max dose of metformin (2000mg) I can’t handle and been taking 1000 but it’s not doing anything for my numbers. I been stressing over a lot. Thank you for your reply.

[@yennyjen5742]

@@TCOYDtv does my numbers sounds like insulin resistance? Metformin hasn’t been working

[@TCOYDtv]

If you do have insulin resistance and your numbers are good with or without metformin, then your body is compensating for the insulin resistance and once again I would say we don’t know exactly what’s going on, but please don’t worry. You’re following yourself so closely, you will not have any issues with your diabetes the way you are so closely following it. -Dr. E

[@georgewilson1457]

I had a GAD test the result was 5 does that mean I have lada

[@TCOYDtv]

Not necessarily, as you need more tests and a history and physical exam.

[@jstavene]

Can a person be lada and not show antibodies? I was immunotherapy for a year(keytruda) then my thyroid went in my last 3 infusions,,,then a few months after my pancreas,,,deemed type 2,,, on orals,,,then a couple months later type 1.5,,, saw different doctors and next said type 2 because of antibody tests,,,but on insulin, 4 times a day basil and bolus,,, and trying ozimpic in the event type 2,,waiting to see a endocrinologist ,,, but 1 doc says type 2 one says type 1.5 and diabetic educator says I have parts of 1 and 2,,, (also I got white hair blotches I think from the keytruda ) ,,,

[@TCOYDtv]

It’s possible to have antibody negative type 1 diabetes. Believe it or not, there are certain types of therapies that can cause a type 1-ish diabetes. It sounds like you have what looks like type 1 but without the antibodies, so I would put you as antibody negative type 1 that could be due to the immunotherapy. Confirm with your endo if the immunotherapy you were on could have cause you to have a type 1-like picture.

[@yennyjen5742]

I am 34 yrs old, got gestational diabetes at 29 and have been prediabetic ever since. I am normal, actually on the lower side of weight since I lost 10 pounds while on metformin.. I was tested for type 1 and ñada and came negative 😢 my a1c it’s 6.1 and fasting insulin 8. Before starting metformin a1c was 5.9 and insulin 6.9 😢 I been tested for a couple genes for mody and came negative too

[@TCOYDtv]

Please see our other posted response -

[@tasmeenasoomro-k9o]

What is meant by 1.5diabetes

[@tasmeenasoomro-k9o]

Why in diabetes anemia occur?

[@TCOYDtv]

Thanks for your question! Here's Dr. Edelman's response: Anemia is not from diabetes in and of itself. There are a lot of causes for anemia, including kidney disease which can occur in people with diabetes, but anemia does not typically happen in people with diabetes who do not have complications.

[@TCOYDtv]

Some people use the term 1.5 to describe LADA but it's not very descriptive, which is why we use LADA.

[@tasmeenasoomro-k9o]

Thanku soo much sir ,I got it

[@tasmeenasoomro-k9o]

Sir can u upload the video on diabetic foot?

[@StaceyMoore-sd6qf]

I was dx in 2016 as type 2. At 113 pounds. 6 months later, dx as type 1.5 LADA..Its a silent killer..it is horrible..

[@TCOYDtv]

It's unfortunate that so many people go undiagnosed for so long. We're doing our best to educate the medical community as well as people living with diabetes, but it's a big ship to turn around.

[@StaceyMoore-sd6qf]

@TCOYDtv yes you are so right so many people even doctors and nurses and the people at my job we have a amcare office those are like the School nurses of Amazon. They do not really know anything about diabetes especially anybody that is on insulin. I tried to bring in some literature to put in their little office for other people like employees and their self to read and you know get some education about it. I even brought it to hire manager that I think everybody in that building that is a manager or anything like that needs to have some sort of one class about diabetes because there are so many employees that have this and when an emergency happened they do not know what to do as far as helping somebody that is in a crisis. I don't know if they ever did I am still an employee there as of now but I am on leave as I had back surgery in January and it failed so I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to go back between the diabetes and my job Amazon trying to kill me at all times I don't know what to do

[@TCOYDtv]

Well you are doing the right thing by trying to educate yourself about diabetes, and seeking out resources such as ours. Glad you found us, and hope our education continues to help. There are also online support groups for people with diabetes (T1D groups on Facebook, etc) that can be a valuable resource for community support as well.

[@mitalpandya8798]

Good information but no empathy and very negative way of putting out things, which can increase worries in patient with LADA

[@TCOYDtv]

Sorry you feel that way. Dr. Boeder is an excellent endocrinologist with a lot of compassion, and we go to great lengths to provide diabetes education in positive manner.

[@roms515]

Hello my is also diagnosed with T1D 15 days before

[@roms515]

My son is 3 yrs n diagnosed with T1D