Type 1 Diabetes:

• Your body stops making insulin, a hormone you need to use sugar for energy.
• It’s not caused by diet or lifestyle – it’s an immune system mix-up.
• Usually starts in childhood or young adulthood, but can happen at any age.
• Managed with insulin injections or an insulin pump, plus monitoring blood sugar.

Pre-Type 1 Diabetes:

• This is the early stage before full-blown Type 1 diabetes.
• You might not have symptoms yet, but your body is starting to attack insulin-producing cells.
• Early detection through screening can help you prepare and possibly delay Type 1 diabetes.

LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults):

• Think of this as a slow-motion version of Type 1 diabetes that starts in adulthood.
• Often mistaken for Type 2 at first because it develops more slowly.
• Over time, you’ll likely need insulin, just like with Type 1.

Type 2 Diabetes:

• The most common type of diabetes.
• Your body doesn’t use insulin well, or doesn’t make enough.
• Often related to lifestyle factors, but genes play a role too.
• Can often be managed with healthy eating, exercise, and sometimes medication.

Actually, we are hosting a live broadcast with Dr. Edelman and Dr. Pettus, where we will explore these topics in depth to increase your awareness!

Understanding the different types of diabetes isn’t just about accumulating knowledge—it’s about empowerment and taking control of your health journey. Here’s why it matters:

1. Personalized Care: Knowing your specific type of diabetes allows for tailored treatment plans, leading to better management and improved quality of life.
2. Early Intervention: Recognizing the signs and risk factors for different types can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, potentially preventing or delaying complications.
3. Informed Decision-Making: With a clear understanding of your condition, you can make better choices about diet, exercise, and medication in partnership with your healthcare team.
4. Emotional Well-being: Knowledge dispels fear and uncertainty. Understanding your diabetes type can reduce anxiety and boost confidence in managing your condition.
5. Support for Loved Ones: If someone you care about has diabetes, understanding their specific type allows you to provide more effective support and encouragement.
6. Community Connection: Knowing your diabetes type can help you connect with others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.
7. Advocacy: With a deeper understanding, you can become an advocate for yourself and others, pushing for better care, research, and policies that benefit the diabetes community.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about diabetes. You might think that all types are the same or that certain myths hold true. Let’s clear up the confusion and build a better understanding together.

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back, learn what they are below:

1. Pre-Type 1 diabetes can be reversed through lifestyle changes
   Unlike prediabetes in Type 2 diabetes, Pre-Type 1 diabetes (Stages 1 and 2) cannot be reversed through lifestyle changes. These stages represent the early autoimmune process that leads to Type 1 diabetes. While research is ongoing into potential interventions to delay or prevent the progression to clinical Type 1 diabetes, currently there are no proven methods to reverse the autoimmune attack on beta cells.

2. There are always noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
   In the early stages of Pre-Type 1 diabetes (Stages 1 and 2), there are typically no noticeable symptoms. These stages are characterized by the presence of diabetes-related autoantibodies and, in Stage 2, abnormal blood sugar levels. However, classic diabetes symptoms like excessive thirst or frequent urination usually don’t appear until Stage 3, when clinical Type 1 diabetes develops.

3. Pre-Type 1 diabetes only occurs in children.
   Pre-Type 1 diabetes can occur in individuals of any age, not just children. While it’s true that Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in younger individuals, the autoimmune process that leads to Type 1 diabetes can begin at any age. Screening studies have identified adults with Pre-Type 1 diabetes as well.

4. LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) – LADA is the same as Type 2 diabetes.
   LADA is distinct from Type 2 diabetes, despite sometimes being misdiagnosed as such. LADA is an autoimmune form of diabetes, like Type 1, where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes is primarily characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, without an autoimmune component.

5. LADA progresses as quickly as typical Type 1 diabetes.
   LADA typically progresses more slowly than classic Type 1 diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes often develops rapidly, especially in younger individuals, LADA has a slower onset. People with LADA may maintain some insulin production for months or even years after diagnosis, leading to a more gradual progression of insulin dependence.

6. LADA can be managed with oral medications alone long-term.
   While oral medications may be effective in the early stages of LADA, most individuals will eventually require insulin therapy. As LADA progresses and more insulin-producing cells are destroyed, oral medications become less effective. Long-term management typically involves insulin therapy, similar to Type 1 diabetes treatment.

7. Type 2 Diabetes – Only overweight or obese people get Type 2 diabetes.
   While being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, people of normal weight can also develop the condition. Other risk factors include age, family history, ethnicity, and lifestyle factors. Additionally, some individuals may have a genetic predisposition that increases their risk regardless of weight.

8. Type 2 diabetes is not as serious as Type 1 diabetes.
   Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious conditions that require proper management. If left untreated or poorly managed, Type 2 diabetes can lead to severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and neuropathy, just like Type 1 diabetes. The seriousness of either type depends on how well it’s managed, not on the type itself.

9. Once you start insulin, it means you’ve failed at managing your diabetes.
   Starting insulin therapy is not a sign of failure in diabetes management. For many people with Type 2 diabetes, it’s a natural progression of the disease as the pancreas produces less insulin over time. Insulin is simply another tool in diabetes management, often allowing for better blood glucose control. Early insulin use can even help preserve remaining beta cell function in some cases.