When we talk about diabetes, we usually think of two types: type 1 and type 2. However, in recent years, studies have been published that suggest new classifications. Depending on where the barriers that distinguish one from the other are located, there can be up to 10 types. One of them is diabetes 1.5, who went from being completely unknown to the general public to starring in some headlines after the singer was diagnosed Lance Bassfrom the cult American group NSYNC.
In fact, Bass received his first Diagnosis of diabetes type 2However, over time it became clear that some parameters were not suitable, so it was decided to conduct new tests. This showed that he actually had diabetes 1.5, a type that combines characteristics of both type 1 and type 2.
Although in some cases treatment for type 2 diabetes can be effective for 1.5 years, sometimes it is delayed. insulin needs to be administered patients, causing their symptoms to worsen. So it’s vital to conduct more tests, like the ones that led to the NSYNC singer’s specific diagnosis.
The two most well-known types of diabetes
Any diabetes is characterized by dangerous increase in glucose levels in the blood The main difference between them is the reason for this increase.
In case of type 1 diabetes has an autoimmune origin. That is, it is the cells of the patient’s own immune system that attack the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin. Since insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the blood for energy, it eventually accumulates. It is detected mainly in children and adolescents and requires insulin administration from the moment of diagnosis, since their body cannot synthesize anything.
On the other hand, people with type 2 diabetes yes, they can initially synthesize insulinWhat happens in their case is that usually due to poor diet over time, their cells become resistant to insulin. They experience so many glucose spikes that they need more and more insulin to properly feel its effect. Like when we become addicted to a substance.
Eventually, the pancreas can no longer produce enough fluid, and symptoms begin. In these cases, there is no need to immediately begin insulin administration. Perhaps with the help of glucose-lowering drugs, such as the famous OzempicThis will be sufficient because they still produce some insulin. In fact, they may never need to resort to insulin.
This disease is usually diagnosed in older people, although there are cases children and teenagers.
What is diabetes 1.5?
Type 1.5 diabetes has characteristics of type 1 and type 2. It is also autoimmune in nature. However, the attack on the pancreatic cells is not as radical, so it may take some time for patients to recover. up to 5 years need insulin. It is mainly of genetic origin, like type 1 diabetes, but like type 2 diabetes, it is also influenced by lifestyle. As for the age of diagnosis, it is usually over 30 years old, like type 2 diabetes.
Why are they confused?
Diabetes 1.5 is often confused with type 2, mainly because age at diagnosis and because insulin often continues to be produced. This leads to it being treated with medications and often not being properly followed up. While people with type 2 diabetes may never need this hormone, people with type 1.5 diabetes eventually become dependent on it. If this is not detected, symptoms can get much worse.
How is diabetes 1.5 diagnosed?
suspected diabetes Whatever the type, it begins when a person has persistent intense thirst, unwarranted weight changes, fatigue, vision problems, or excessive urination (peeing a lot). If you do analytics and abnormal glucose levels are detected, additional tests are usually performed. One of the most common is the overload test, also known as a glucose curve. In this case, after 10-12 hours of fasting, the patient is given 250 milliliters of juice containing 75 grams of glucose, and a blood sample is taken after 2 hours. The glucose levels in this test are the key to understanding the presence of diabetes.
If you have any questions, you can ask them antibody tests, This will determine whether the diabetes is of autoimmune origin. However, if the diagnosis occurs in people over 30, it is usually directly assumed that it is type 2 diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes 1.5 initially show improvement with treatment for type 2, so the diagnosis is confirmed, even if. it was incorrect.
Other types of diabetes
The classification that refers to the two types of diabetes is very general: autoimmune or insulin-resistant. However, depending on the origin, we can find from 5 to 10 types of diabetes.
In 2018, a group of Swedish and Finnish scientists published a study that analyzed the detailed characteristics of 15,000 patients with diabetes. It was noted that in reality, up to 5 groups can be distinguished. These are: severe autoimmune diabetes, severe diabetes due to insulin deficiency, severe diabetes due to insulin resistance, moderate diabetes associated with obesity, and moderate age-related diabetes.
The first and third are what are commonly called diabetes type 1 and 2. In the second case, it is not of autoimmune origin, but insulin resistance has not developed either. It is simply low for another genetic reason. The fourth type occurs in overweight people, for example, in people with type 2 diabetes, but in this case their insulin level is closer to normal. That is why it is moderate. Finally, in the fifth year, something similar happens, but due to age, not excess weight. This list could also be supplemented gestational diabetes. Thus, we will have the sixth type.
What if they break?
Other studies are differentiating even more types of diabetes as they uncover different genetic causes that may be responsible for diabetes. less insulin production. These may include, among other things, genetic defects of the beta cells of the pancreas, diseases of the exocrine pancreas, endocrinopathies, or drug-induced diabetes. Moreover, the defect may not be in the production, but in the action of insulin.
In short, although we know of mainly two types of diabetes, there are many types of diabetes and without a doubt, diabetes 1.5 deserves much more attention.
Source: Hiper Textual
