Type 1.5 ?

[mimms2]

HelenM .
I was reading your profile , im new to diabetes 2 , 2 years .
i understand there are type 1 and type 2 . excuse my ignorance .. lol ,, what is type 1.5 ?
thank you

 

[HelenM]

Hi,
In many adults the process of development of T1 is slower than in children who typically have a very rapid onset. It is sometimes called LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Some people because of their age are diagnosed with T2 but often they don't have the same metabolic profile as many type 2s . Over a period that can be up to about 6 years oral medications fail to work and it becomes clear they need insulin. When tested they have autoimmune antibodies that kill of their beta cells and very low or falling insulin production.
In my case I didn't go through all that , I rather silly ignored obvious symptoms for far too long and ended up very thin and very ill with diabetic ketoacidosis . My official diagnosis is actually T1 but as the doc said 'you could call it 1.5' and it's a term used quite widely.
(it's actually thought that 10% or more of those diagnosed with T2 could have LADA.

There is another type of 1.5 represented on this board: MODY. This is an inherited form of diabetes with several varieties according to which gene is involved http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maturity_onset_diabetes_of_the_young

 

[Northerner]

My consultant says that I am probably Type 1.5 also. I started with symptoms a couple of years prior to diagnosis but they weren't severe possibly because although my insulin was declining I was running a lot and this made me more sensitive to the insulin I was producing. I lost weight, went to the loo a lot, felt tired and lethargic a lot of the time and was drinking huge amounts but it never clicked. It was only when I got an infection that I ended up with DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) and was diagnosed Type 1, two years after my symptoms had become apparent (although I only recognise this with hindsight). I was 49 and have been on insulin for the past 2.5 years, although my consultant thinks I may still be producing low levels of my own. 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for this. I've been a bit confused for a while about the difference between 1.5 and MODY. I read last week that some research suggests there may be a massive number of diabetic variations. Perhaps 30 or 40 different flavours!

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for this. I've been a bit confused for a while about the difference between 1.5 and MODY. I read last week that some research suggests there may be a massive number of diabetic variations. Perhaps 30 or 40 different flavours!

Or more? We're all different! 😉 I've often though this, since we all have different levels of hormone production and reaction. Even a Type 1 may still be producing some insulin after many decades, as evidenced by the Joslin 50 year programme and our member Richard who has been diagnosed 65 years T1.

 

[Bartmanblues]

Hi,
In many adults the process of development of T1 is slower than in children who typically have a very rapid onset. It is sometimes called LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults). Some people because of their age are diagnosed with T2 but often they don't have the same metabolic profile as many type 2s . Over a period that can be up to about 6 years oral medications fail to work and it becomes clear they need insulin. When tested they have autoimmune antibodies that kill of their beta cells and very low or falling insulin production.

That is exactly the progression my diabetes diagnosis took. I was at first diagnosed with type 2 because my body still was producing insulin (and maybe still is!). But being 26 and as thin as a stick, I was the odd one out on my Xpert course (education about type 2). Took a year but the once I was referred to the hospital and they did the antibodies test they decided I was type 1. I had been on metformin for a year (as part of the type 2 treatment), and struggling massively for good levels. Insulin has been much more effective.

So, i'm probably type 1.5 too. Though no clinician I have met as seemingly been aware of what this is and instead have said i'm type 1 but was on a "honeymoon" period where I did produce some insulin.

I do remember having the occasional crippling lack of energy (hypo?) occassionally during my childhood so I could have been on this honeymoon for some time!

 

[mimms2]

Thank you for replies , I find this quite intresting , I was diagnosed with type 2 couple years back , altho Docter couldt decide whether I was type 1 or 2 .
and he then decided cos of my age it must be type 2 ... all this information just shows us what a complicated health problem we all have

 

[AlisonM]

Like so many others, I was initially diagnosed as Type 2 because of my age (Umpty-three) and weight (Tessie O'Shea), but I kept pushing because of several things that just didn't fit and the diagnosis was changed after about six months. I can't say it's been resolved yet but at least the solution is on the horizon.

Things to look out for (based on my own history only):

• No family history of Type 2, possible history of Type 1
• Some other immune health problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anaemia, thyroid problems or adrenal problems (three out of four ain't bad)
• Not presenting with the classic symptoms such as excessive thirst and peeing
• Not having a weight problem (I wish)

None of these are definitive reasons why you can't be Type 2 but they are indicators that perhaps things should be investigated further, especially if the pills aren't helping.

As medical research continues there is a growing understanding of the different causes and types of diabetes, while tests and treatments are improving all the time. It just remains to ensure that all this information reaches the coalface so that fewer of us will face these problems of diagnosis and treatment in future. Perhaps DUK could do a mailout/newsletter to all surgeries reporting on the latest developments?