A new form of diabetes! Type 1.5 diabetes is similar to type 1 and 2, but is often misdiagnosed

Nowadays, due to wrong eating habits and bad lifestyle, the number of diabetes patients is increasing day by day. This is a serious disease and it is very important to get it treated on time. In such a situation, it is very important to have the right information about diabetes. You must have heard about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but do you know about type 1.5 diabetes? 

Types of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a group of conditions that occur when the levels of glucose (sugar) in our blood are higher than normal. There are actually more than 10 types of diabetes, but the most common are type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas that make the hormone insulin. This leads to little or no insulin production. Insulin is important for moving glucose from the blood into our cells to be used for energy, which is why people with type 1 diabetes need insulin medication every day. Type 1 diabetes usually appears in children or young adults.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune problem. Rather, it occurs when the body's cells become resistant to insulin over time, and the pancreas is not able to make enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Unlike type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes are able to produce some insulin. Type 2 is more common in adults but is increasingly seen in children and young people. Management can include behavioral changes such as nutrition and physical activity, as well as medications and insulin therapy.

How is type 1.5 diabetes different from types 1 and 2?

Like type 1 diabetes, type 1.5 occurs when the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that make insulin. However, people with type 1.5 often don't need insulin right away because their condition develops more slowly. Most people with type 1.5 diabetes will need to use insulin within five years of diagnosis, while people with type 1 usually need it from diagnosis.

Type 1.5 diabetes is usually diagnosed in people over 30, possibly due to the slower progression of the condition. This is older than the typical age for type 1 diabetes but younger than the typical diagnosis age for type 2. Type 1.5 diabetes shares genetic and autoimmune risk factors with type 1 diabetes, such as specific gene variants. However, evidence has also shown that it may be influenced by lifestyle factors such as obesity and physical inactivity that are commonly associated with type 2 diabetes.

What are the symptoms and how is it treated?

The symptoms of type 1.5 diabetes vary widely between people. Some may have no symptoms at all. But in general, people may experience the following symptoms:

* Feeling very thirsty

* Frequent urination

* Feeling tired

* Blurred vision

* Unexplained weight loss.

Typically, type 1.5 diabetes is initially treated with medications to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. Depending on their glucose control and the medication they are using, people with type 1.5 diabetes may need to monitor their blood glucose levels regularly throughout the day.

When the average blood sugar level rises beyond the normal range, even with medications, treatment may progress to insulin. However, there are no universally approved management or treatment strategies for type 1.5 diabetes. Lance Bass said he was initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but later learned he actually had type 1.5 diabetes. This is not entirely uncommon. An estimated 5-10% of cases of type 1.5 diabetes are misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Possible causes of type 1.5 diabetes

* Accurately diagnosing type 1.5 diabetes and differentiating it from other types of diabetes requires special antibody tests (a type of blood test) to detect autoimmune markers. Not all healthcare professionals routinely recommend this test, either because of cost concerns or because they can't afford it.

* Type 1.5 diabetes is usually found in adults, so doctors may incorrectly assume that a person has developed type 2 diabetes, which is more common in this age group (while type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young adults).

* People with type 1.5 diabetes often make enough insulin in the body to control their blood sugar levels without needing to start insulin medication. This can make their condition look like type 2 diabetes, where people also produce some insulin.

* Finally, since the symptoms of type 1.5 diabetes are similar to those of type 2 diabetes, it may initially be misdiagnosed as type 2.

There is little research on how common type 1.5 diabetes is compared to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, especially in non-European populations. In 2023, it was estimated that type 1.5 diabetes represents 8.9% of all diabetes cases, which is similar to type 1. However, we need more research to get accurate numbers.

Overall, there is limited awareness of type 1.5 diabetes and unclear diagnostic criteria, which has slowed our understanding of the condition. Misdiagnosis can be stressful and confusing. For people with type 1.5 diabetes, being misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes can mean they don't get the insulin they need in a timely manner. This can lead to poor health and a higher chance of complications in the future.

Having the correct diagnosis helps people get the right treatment, save money, and reduce the risk of diabetes. If you're experiencing symptoms that you think may indicate diabetes, or you're feeling uncertain about the diagnosis you've already received, monitor your symptoms and talk to your doctor.