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What is Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)?


Oct. 24, 2024 5 min read

Woman with doctor and the Dexcom G7
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, also known as LADA, describes a form of diabetes that develops over many years and shares similarities with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes1. LADA is sometimes referred to as “type 1.5 diabetes” because it’s an autoimmune condition like type 1 diabetes (T1D), but it’s diagnosed later in adulthood, which is typically associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
LADA is a nuanced condition, and its treatment will vary by person and their symptoms. Understanding what makes it
different from T1D and T2D can help provide a little clarity about what’s going on in your body so you can have a productive conversation with your doctor about what you’re experiencing when seeking a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan.



How do you know if you have LADA and not T2D?

Everyone living with diabetes experiences it differently. If you’ve been recently diagnosed with T2D, you’re likely adapting to your treatment plan and shifts in your lifestyle. It’s a good idea to keep checking in with yourself and your doctor about whether your treatment is working for you and whether you’re feeling better than before you started treatment.
It’s critical to continue to communicate with your doctor about your symptoms even if you have been diagnosed with T2D because the treatments that work for T2D (such as diet or lifestyle changes) will not be effective if your pancreas is not producing insulin anymore. If you have developed LADA, getting treatment with insulin in addition to lifestyle changes may be a vital part of maintaining your health.7
The Immunology for Diabetes Society (IDS) has three specific criteria that can help healthcare providers determine whether someone is experiencing LADA.1
  • The individual is in their 30s
  • They are positive for the antibodies that attack beta cells
  • They did not need to depend on insulin for at least 6 months after the initial diagnosis of T2D
Discussing your symptoms and talking to your doctor about being tested for T1D-related antibodies can help you get an accurate diagnosis so that you and your doctor can determine the right treatment options.



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1 O’Neal, K. S., Johnson, J. L., & Panak, R. L. (2016, November). Recognizing and appropriately treating latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5111528/ 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-b). About type 1 diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-1-diabetes.html 3 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2024, March 27). Type 1 diabetes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011# 4 Ravikumar, V., Ahmed, A., & Anjankar, A. (2023, October 29). A review on latent autoimmune diabetes in adults. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10683931/ 5 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Type 2 diabetes - NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-2-diabetes  6 Understanding insulin resistance. Insulin Resistance and Diabetes | ADA. (n.d.). https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/insulin-resistance 7 Rajkumar V, et al. Latent Autoimmune Diabetes. StatPearls Publishing. Updated June 21, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557897/ 8 Antibodies. Cleveland Clinic. Updated May 6, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22971-antibodies 9 Diabetes LADA. Diabetes.co.uk. Updated June 10, 2022. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_lada.html 10 What is the A1C test?. Understanding A1C Test | ADA. (n.d.).https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/a1c 11 Vigersky RA, et al. The Relationship of Hemoglobin A1C to Time-in-Range in Patients with Diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 2019;21(2):81-85. doi: 10.1089/dia.2018.0310 12 Beck RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378. 13 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374.  14 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.  15 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396.  16 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2024;18(1):143-7 
BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and its components according to the instructions for use provided with your device and available at https://www.dexcom.com/safety-information and to properly consider all indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and cautions in those instructions for use may result in you missing a severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) occurrence and/or making a treatment decision that may result in injury. If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.  

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