Latent autoimmune diabetes sometimes referred to as LADA or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults is a condition of diabetes that occurs under the classification of Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body does not recognize its own pancreas and insulin and instead of assisting in performance, the body’s immune system destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. The result is a lack of insulin and the body has no method to transfer glucose in the blood to the muscles and other tissues where it should be converted into energy.
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs early in the lifecycle, normally in infancy or in childhood. When this disease occurs in an adult, doctors refer to it as latent diabetes mellitus. Due to their age, individuals with this condition are normally misdiagnosed as having non-obesity related Type 2 diabetes, versus Type 1 diabetes. This incorrect analysis can be detrimental to a person who is in need of proper treatment, including doses of insulin. At first, patients may respond to their treatment, but within six months, their disease will progress and treatment will need to be adjusted. If a doctor is uncertain of a type of condition, he can perform a simple blood test.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms of latent diabetes manifest much differently than with Type 2 diabetes. For example, usually individuals who are overweight or obese are at increased risk, but in this form, people who have normal BMI’s are prone to this condition. In addition, patients cannot look towards their genetic or family history to explain the prevalence of this condition. Often, no one in his or her family suffers from Type 2 diabetes. Patients also do not show the other usual signs, such as rapid weight loss and ketoacidosis.People in the age range of thirty to fifty are usually the prime age for developing this condition, but this disease does not discriminate against older individuals either. Patients may not realize that they have anything wrong with them unless they start to notice the complications of latent diabetes in adults, such as problems with their vision or gastrointestinal tract.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Complications
Diabetes of any type that is not treated for any amount of time can be severe. It can lead to issues such as diabetic neuropathy, in which never damage affects all or portions of the body. They can also suffer from diabetic retinopathy, which is a disorder or they eyes and can cause impaired vision, and possibly blindness. Other conditions that can occur are kidney failure, heart disease, chronic infections, and gastrointestinal tract, urological and sexual dysfunctions. Because diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adultscan be delayed, it is vital to see a doctor regularly and understand the warning signs.
