Did you know that Type 1 and Type 2 are not the only kinds of diabetes? The other types of diabetes make up 2% of the diabetic community.
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), Maturity onset diabetes in the young (MODY), Type 3c, Neonatal Diabetes, Wolfram Syndrome, and Steroid Induced Diabetes. According to Beyond Type 1, less than 5% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes fall under this category.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults or Type 1.5 has characteristics that are similar to both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The symptoms are the same however they occur at a much slower rate than type 1 but faster than type 2. The diagnosis for LADA is tricky leaving people to be misdiagnosed with another form of diabetes. LADA also shows antibodies that are found in type 1 (GADA antibody).
Maturity Onset Diabetes in the Young (MODY) is caused by a genetic mutation. The unique characteristics of MODY are being 25 years old or younger, having at least one parent with diabetes, family history of diabetes of two or more generations, and may not need insulin. MODY has subcategories depending on which gene is affected. The table below breaks down the four subcategories of MODY.
HNF1-alpha | This is the most common of MODY making up about 70% of cases. Individuals often are not diagnosed until adolescents. This mutation forces the pancreas to decrease insulin production. Treatment typically utilizes sulphonylyureas which is a category of medication that stimulate insulin production. Insulin is usually not needed. |
HNF1-beta | This type of MODY often creates other issues with the body: renal cysts, gout, and even uterine abnormalities. Insulin is the typical treatment for this form. |
HNF4-alpha | This mutation has unique traits such as larger than average birth weights as well as hypoglycemia at birth. Sulphonylyureas are the usual treatment but individuals may advance to insulin if needed. |
Glucokinase | This form of MODY alters the gene that recognizes hyperglycemia in the body. The alteration generally only creates slight elevations. There are usually no symptoms with this form of MODY and can be managed through a balanced diet and regular exercise. |
Type 3c occurs through damage to the pancreas from other diseases. Diseases that can create this damage are: cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and
haemochromatosis. Type 3c can occur when all or part of the pancreas is removed.
Neonatal Diabetes occurs in the neonatal stage of life (under six months). This is similar to type 1 diabetes however it is not an autoimmune disorder. There is a change in a gene leading to an issue with insulin production. There are two types of Neonatal Diabetes: transient and permanent. Transient usually resolves by one year of age but it can reoccur in the teen years. Permanent is as it sounds. It lasts through the lifetime.
Wolfram Syndrome is a syndrome that is identified through shared characteristics. Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy and Deafness. Although treated in the same manner as type 1, this form of Diabetes is not an autoimmune disease. Diabetes Insipidus is a disease in which the pituitary gland is not producing enough vasopressin leading to the inability to concentrate urine. Diabetes Insipidus is not related to Diabetes Mellitus. They share symptoms like increased thirst and urination but they affect different areas of the body.
Steroid Induced Diabetes is as straight forward as it sounds. Corticosteroids are very beneficial in the treatment of many aliments like asthma, arthritis, and many others. Unfortunately, corticosteroids cause high blood sugar. A lot of people see the return of normal blood sugar levels once the steroid treatment is complete. However, there are people who do see lingering hyperglycemia post steroid treatment. Treatment of steroid induced diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes.
All the love,
Trisha BSN, RN
The Diabetic Diabetes Nurse
References:
American Diabetes Association. (2022). Diabetes Overview - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment. Diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/diabetes
Diabetes UK. (2022). Types of diabetes. Diabetes UK. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes
International Diabetes Federation. (2020, March 26). What is diabetes. Idf.org. https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes.html
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