Have You Heard of Type 1.5 Diabetes?
- Rebecca Guldberg
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Most people are familiar with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but there’s another form you might not have heard about — and it’s often overlooked. It’s called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, or LADA. Some experts call it “Type 1.5” because it sits somewhere between the two better-known types. Like Type 1, it’s an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. But unlike classic Type 1, which usually shows up quickly in children or young adults, LADA develops more slowly and typically appears after age 30.
Because of that slower onset, many people with LADA are first told they have Type 2 diabetes. They might spend months or years trying lifestyle changes or Type 2 medications that don’t work as well for them. By the time they finally get the right diagnosis, they may already need insulin and be at a higher risk for serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. The key difference is that people with LADA gradually lose their ability to make insulin, so they often need insulin therapy much earlier than someone with true Type 2.
Doctors can spot LADA by running tests for certain autoantibodies and tracking insulin production with c-peptide tests. Getting the right diagnosis matters — not just for treatment, but for preventing long-term complications. Experts recommend that adults who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes but don’t seem to respond to standard treatments ask their doctors about antibody testing.
This is an important reminder that diabetes isn’t always straightforward, and getting the right diagnosis can make a world of difference. You can read the full article and expert recommendations in National Geographic’s coverage here. It’s a fascinating look at a condition that could be affecting far more people than we realize.
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