Most people have heard of type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition in which the pancreas makes too little or no insulin, and type 2 diabetes, which occurs when high blood sugar levels affects both insulin production and how the body’s cells respond to insulin. But now, a lesser-known condition has been getting increasing attention: type 1.5 diabetes.
Recently, former *NSYNC member Lance Bass shared on Instagram that he was diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes. Bass noted that he was originally diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a few years back, but in a “plot twist” he discovered he was misdiagnosed and actually has Type 1.5.
“Type 1.5 diabetes, also known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), is a condition that straddles the line between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes,” says Diala Alatassi, MD, a board-certified internal and obesity medicine physician at Endeavor Health Medical Group. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which typically presents in childhood or adolescence with a rapid onset of symptoms, LADA manifests in adults with a slower onset, she explains.
The tricky thing is, diagnosing type 1.5 diabetes can be especially difficult since the condition causes autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, similar to type 1 diabetes, but may initially exhibit insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, Dr. Alatassi says. Like Bass’s experience, type 1.5 diabetes is also often misdiagnosed as type 2 due to its adult onset, she adds.
Ahead, we outline everything you need to know about type 1.5 diabetes, including what causes it, the associated symptoms, and potential treatment.
Experts Featured in This Article
Diala Alatassi, MD, is a board-certified internal and obesity medicine physician at Endeavor Health Medical Group.
What Is Type 1.5 Diabetes?
Type 1.5 diabetes, or LADA, is a form of diabetes that starts in adulthood (around 30 years old) and slowly gets worse over time, Dr. Alatassi says. Similar to type 1 diabetes, type 1.5 happens when the pancreas stops making insulin after an autoimmune process damages and destructs pancreatic cells, she says.
However, unlike type 1 diabetes, those with type 1.5 do not always immediately require insulin therapy after diagnosis due to the slower onset of the condition, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
What Causes Type 1.5 Diabetes?
The exact cause of type 1.5 diabetes is under-researched, but the primary cause stems from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, Dr. Alatassi says. As a result, the pancreas loses its ability to control blood sugar, and the absence of insulin leads to sugar building up in the bloodstream.
A genetic predisposition may also be a play, according to Dr. Alatassi, but more scientific research is needed to identify the specific genetic factors.
Symptoms of Type 1.5 Diabetes
The symptoms of type 1.5 diabetes resemble those of type 1 and type 2, but the following symptoms typically present in adults over 30 years old, according to Dr. Alatassi and the NLM:
It’s also worth noting that symptoms can come on rapidly or gradually over the course of many weeks.
Treatment For Type 1.5 Diabetes
Treatment for type 1.5 diabetes typically involves a combination of insulin therapy and lifestyle modifications, Dr. Alatassi says. Exact treatment depends on the individual, but a balanced diet and regular exercise generally play a significant role in management, she says.
In terms of medication, there isn’t a clear-cut treatment plan, but because the pancreas still makes some insulin, many people with the condition don’t require insulin therapy for glycemic control for at least the first six months after diagnosis, per the NLM. However, as the organ slowly loses its pancreatic functions, injectable insulin therapy is necessary for managing blood glucose levels, Dr. Alatassi says.
With that in mind, Dr. Alatassi says it’s imperative to work with a doctor to monitor and adjust treatment based on individual needs and responses for optimal blood sugar control.
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere. She is a mass consumer of social media, former collegiate pole vaulter, and cares about holistic wellness and non-stigmatizing reproductive care.