Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are the most common but there are some other rarer types of diabetes, these include Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA); Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY); Neonatal Diabetes, and Steroid Induced Diabetes.
LADA
LADA has similarities to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, so it’s sometimes referred to as type 1 ½ diabetes. It’s similar to type 1 diabetes in that your body’s immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin, but it develops more gradually, which is similar to type 2.
MODY
MODY is a rare form of diabetes caused by a mutation, or change, in a single gene which means it runs strongly in families usually affecting someone in each generation with a 1 in 2 chance of an affected person passing the condition to an offspring. There are several different types of MODY so a genetic test will need to be carried out to determine what type it is.
Type 3c Diabetes
Type 3c diabetes develops because of damage to the pancreas. You can only get type 3c diabetes due to illness or a condition that affects the pancreas. You can find more information on type 3c in the resources below and on the Diabetes UK website.
Neonatal Diabetes
Neonatal diabetes usually occurs in the first 6 months of life and is different from type 1 as it’s not caused by the body attacking its own insulin-producing cells. It’s usually caused by a change in a gene that affects the production of insulin.
Steroid-induced Diabetes
Steroid-induced diabetes is caused by taking steroids, which may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the body or to treat conditions like arthritis, COPD (lung disease), or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)). Steroids increase insulin resistance which raises blood glucose levels.
If you have any of these types of diabetes, you will still be under the care of your local diabetes team so will receive the same check-up appointments to monitor your blood glucose levels, eyes, kidneys, heart, legs, and feet. Diabetes UK has compiled a list of healthcare checks that should be carried out every year.
This article will guide you through what kind of care you should receive as someone with diabetes.
This page explains the different types of blood glucose tests used to identify and monitor non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH), including what the results mean and how they relate to your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Being at high risk of type 2 diabetes is officially called non-diabetic hyperglycaemia or NDH. It means that the glucose levels in your blood are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
This page explains the different risk levels for developing type 2 diabetes, what they mean, and how they’re assessed using blood test results and other risk factors.
This resource gives a brief summary of the type of diabetes called Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of the Adult (LADA).
This resource gives an overview of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), including why it develops and how it is diagnosed.
This resource provides a short summary of neonatal diabetes and its causes.
This page provides information on the effects steroids can have on your blood glucose levels
Discover the intricacies of Type 3c diabetes, its distinct characteristics, causes, and symptoms. Gain insights into this lesser-known form of diabetes and its impact on overall health.
This video explains non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, which is also called pre-diabetes. It describes what this condition means, how it develops, and why recognising it matters for your future health.
This leaflet explains how steroids affect blood glucose levels, how to manage any changes in blood glucose levels and how to reduce and stop steroid treatment.
This video provides information and guidance on non-insulin injectable medications.