Autoimmune Diabetes is a form of Type 1 Diabetes, which requires insulin in order to survive. This Diabetes autoimmune condition is believed to be brought on by a virus, infection, or vitamin deficiency and an overactive immune system views the beta cells inhabiting the pancreas as foreign bodies and attacks them. Due to this action, the pancreas is then unable to secrete insulin and the body has no way to transfer sugar from the bloodstream into the muscles, fat, and tissues for fuel. The result is an elevated level of blood glucose. As insulin is needed for glucose transfer and energy absorption, people with this disease often feel weak and fatigued.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) occurs in the late twenties versus in adolescence. Due to this late age of onset, a doctor may attribute a person’s symptoms to being the result of Type 2 Diabetes. The treatment of type 1 and type 2 are different, so while a person may initially respond the treatment of an alternate diet and exercise, they will eventually need injections of insulin to thrive.
The person with Autoimmune Diabetes usually has a normal BMI, but they still need to monitor their caloric intake, food choice, and exercise. Even thin people can have bad eating and exercise habits. As diabetics are susceptible to other condition like heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, they should avoid smoking and eliminate alcohol and caffeine.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in adults usually occurs early in the life cycle. When a person of advanced age contracts this disease, doctors call it Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus. Due to their age, doctors may mistakenly diagnose individuals with non-obesity related type 2 Diabetes, versus latent autoimmune Diabetes of adults. This misdiagnosis can be surprising to a person with no family history of Type 2 Diabetes especially if they are not overweight.This detail should be the first sign that the diagnosis may be wrong.
If there is any question, patients can request one of several blood tests to verify the diagnosis. Doctors do a blood test to check for levels of ICA, IAA, IA2, IgA, and HLA. These tests compare the levels of each antibody in the blood and can tell if the Diabetes is Type 1 or Type 2. For instance, C-Peptides are moderately high in Type 2 Diabetes and but low in Type 1.
Autoimmune Diabetes Symptoms
The Autoimmune Diabetes symptoms may be hard for an individual to notice,as there might not be any symptoms.Individuals who are overweight or obese are prone to type 2 Diabetes, but in Autoimmune Diabetes, people are usually thin and do not have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides, like people with type 2 Diabetes.People who have Diabetes will have an increased need to drink and to urinate. These signs are classic symptoms of Diabetes. As the sugar in the blood rises, the kidneys try to flush out the toxins, which can lead to dehydration and a need to drink and to urinate. Individuals may also experience an increase in appetite combined with weight loss and fatigue. The body is unable to absorb nutrients from food, so the muscles and tissues, in addition to be dehydrated, are being starved.
Other symptoms of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA) may include blurred vision, recurring infections, and mood swings. Left untreated, Diabetes will cause severe complications such as impaired kidney function, increased blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, and stroke.The damage to blood vessels can lead to vision problems, foot ulcers, diarrhea, and a host of other problems. It is crucial to schedule a doctor’s visit when any symptoms out of the ordinary are noticed.
