What Type Do You Have?
When you were first diagnosed, you were likely told you had either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes—two clear, familiar categories. But diabetes is more complex than just two types. While many people fit neatly into one category at diagnosis, others may not. Even if your original diagnosis seemed clear, over time, symptoms and treatment needs can change, blurring the lines between types.
Could you have a different type of diabetes than you were first told? Is it possible to have characteristics of more than one type? Does your type matter? And is your original diagnosis still accurate today?
Understanding the different forms of diabetes is critical for receiving the right care and treatment. Explore the links below to learn about Type 1, Type 2, Type 1.5 (LADA), Prediabetes, Monogenic Diabetes, Syndrome X (Metabolic Syndrome), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Gestational Diabetes, Hemochromatosis-related Diabetes, and Cystic Fibrosis-related Diabetes.
Let us help you discover which type—or types—of diabetes you truly have.
Type 1 Diabetes
Learn all about Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that begins in childhood, adolescence, or as an adult.
Type 1.5 Diabetes
“aka Slow Onset Type 1 and LADA” Discover why type 1.5 is one of several names now applied to those who are diagnosed as an adult with a form of diabetes similar to Type 1, but who do not immediately require insulin for treatment.
Type 2 Diabetes
Learn all about Type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disorder in which the body has trouble using insulin to control blood sugar, combined with a gradual loss of insulin-producing cells.
Pre-Diabetes
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is diagnosed when the blood glucose level is higher than usual, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
Monogenic Diabetes
There are some rare forms of diabetes, Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM), that are monogenic, where only one gene is responsible for the disease. Of the approximately 30,000 genes in the human body, about 20 genes have been identified as being linked to monogenic diabetes to date.
Syndrome X
Syndrome X or “metabolic syndrome” is a new term to describe a collection of conditions associated with Insulin Resistance. This metabolic defect causes Type 2 diabetes, most cases of high blood pressure, and much of the cardiovascular disease in Westernized countries.
Polycystic Ovary Disease
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a metabolic disorder that affects the female reproductive system and is closely associated with insulin resistance.
Gestational Diabetes
Links to the best web sources with information on Gestational Diabetes
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is an inherited disease that causes excessive amounts of iron to accumulate in the body and can cause diabetes.
Cystic Fibrosis
Over 40% of the individuals with CF who are over the age of 30 develop Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD).