By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    nursing program
    7 Tips to Picking the Best Nursing Program
    February 5, 2018
    Health Care: A Modern-Day Blade Runner?
    December 10, 2014
    Occupational Therapy Assistant | Medical Assistant | Home Health Aide
    In-Demand Healthcare Support Jobs
    April 16, 2016
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Latent Autoimmune Diabetes: Getting The Word Out
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Latent Autoimmune Diabetes: Getting The Word Out
eHealthSpecialties

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes: Getting The Word Out

Larry Alton
Last updated: April 8, 2018 7:47 pm
Larry Alton
Share
6 Min Read
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes: Getting The Word Out
SHARE

Diabetes is a major health problem in the United States, affecting over 30 million people, but as doctors and clinicians we’re guilty of oversimplifying the condition. This is particularly true when it comes to latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), which is frequently misdiagnosed.

Contents
LADA: Just The FactsA Question of ManagementFood For ThoughtA Collaborative Approach

Combining elements of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, LADA is – in terms of mechanics – more similar to type 1, or what we typically call juvenile onset. That nomenclature is part of the problem; we overlook the fact that adults can experience the autoimmune form of the disease because it’s consistently associated with children. That prevents us from treating it properly and providing a holistic, complete care plan. If we adapt our language to the realities of diabetes, referring to insulin-resistant and autoimmune diabetes, we’re more likely to identify LADA correctly.

LADA: Just The Facts

If we were to compare LADA with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there are several factors that make it hard to diagnose. For example, in children with type 1 diabetes, one of the first signs of disease is ketoacidosis. However, in adults with type 2 and those with LADA, there are typically no signs of ketoacidosis. Since this is one of the key diagnostic criteria, along with elevated blood sugar levels, many doctors will make their initial diagnosis based on presentation alone. And that’s when things get dangerous.

As hospitals, we need to mandate antibody testing, as LADA patients, like type-1 patients, show GAD-65 antibodies and possibly islet-cell antibodies. Though some endocrinologists understand that they should look for this, mandating antibody testing and checking C-peptide levels, which are a byproduct of insulin production, can help confirm proper diagnosis and prevent long-term complications.

More Read

FDA Approvs for New Blood Thinner For Knee and Hip Replacements
What Amazon Can Teach us About Telehealth Adoption
A Healthcare Data Pro’s Innovation Wish List
Making Health Addictive: Reinforce Social Connections (Part IV)
Healthcare Providers Stifle Online Free Speech

A Question of Management

One of the primary reasons it’s important for hospitals and specialists to mandate antibody testing when diagnosing diabetes is that, while dietary changes are important for all diabetes patients, those with type 1 or LADA need to be put on insulin treatment immediately. LADA patients’ bodies destroy their insulin-producing islet cells, preventing insulin production, but those with type 2 can typically delay insulin treatment for many years with the use of other supportive medications, such as metformin. If individuals with LADA are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes instead, they’ll miss out on an important part of their treatment.

Patients with LADA, like all diabetics, face an increased risk heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and hearing and vision issues if their sugar levels go uncorrected, and they require both insulin treatment and dietary management for long-term health. They should meet with a nutritionist and learn blood-sugar reduction strategies, as well as carefully working to increase cardiovascular activity through gentle exercise like jogging and cycling.

Food For Thought

Controlling blood sugar levels with LADA requires more than just reducing sugar intake itself. Rather, patients need to make significant dietary changes in order to control their condition. Fruits and vegetables, especially, should make up a significant part of their diet, but fruits need to be handled carefully as the natural sugars can cause blood sugar spikes. The most impressive blood sugar reducing fruit ever discovered is amla – also known as Indian gooseberries – because amla naturally reduces blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and inflammation.

Another part of diabetes management in LADA patients is reducing sodium intake. Not only can sodium increase your blood pressure and increase the risk of hypertension, which is already high in diabetics, it can also increase autoimmune responses and therefore cause the body to attack the insulin producing cells in the pancreas more aggressively.

Finally, patients with LADA should consume some protein with every meal and carefully manage their fiber levels as both can slow the glucose absorption. Every meal needs to be carefully planned and blood sugar levels monitored throughout the day for the sake of long-term health. Some nutritionists also recommend periodic fasting for diabetes management as it can encourage the body to enter ketosis and improve the metabolic rate, but this should only be done under strict observation in LADA patients.

A Collaborative Approach

Caring for LADA patients involves collaboration between endocrinologists, nutritionists, and cardiologists, among other specialists. Practices should have clear policies for managing diabetic patients, encourage collaborative care, and provide support for follow-up appointments. It’s not an easy approach, but it’s an improvement over sending patients into ketoacidosis or a diabetic coma because they’ve been misdiagnosed with insulin resistant rather than autoimmune diabetes. Diabetes is a life-threatening condition and we need to treat it with the seriousness it deserves.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

More Engaged Patient Care Means Expanding the Definition of “Healthcare”

June 8, 2013

In a World of Cloud Services, Are HL7 Interface Engines Dead?

May 9, 2012
telehealth
BusinesseHealthFinanceHospital AdministrationTechnology

Physician Practices Revisit Telehealth to Monetize Time and Differentiate

June 5, 2013

Web-Based Patient Engagement Lowers Anxiety for First-Time Colonoscopy Patients

November 27, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?