LADA

Medical abbreviation · Endocrinology & Diabetes

LADA
Stands forLatent autoimmune diabetes in adults
CategoriesMedical

LADA stands for Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, an endocrinology & diabetes abbreviation.

Slowly progressive autoimmune diabetes diagnosed in adults who initially do not need insulin, often mistaken for type 2 diabetes. Patients have islet autoantibodies, usually GAD65, and typically progress to insulin dependence within months to years.

Example: Lean 44-year-old "type 2" failing oral agents, GAD65 positive: LADA, start basal insulin.

Usage notes

Sometimes called "type 1.5 diabetes", though major classifications treat it as a slow form of type 1. Clues include normal weight, poor response to oral drugs, personal or family autoimmune disease and low C-peptide. Pronounced "LAH-dah". Sulfonylureas may hasten beta-cell loss and are generally avoided.

More endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations

  • IDDM – Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • IFG – Impaired fasting glucose
  • IGF-1 – Insulin-like growth factor 1
  • IGT – Impaired glucose tolerance
  • IR – Insulin resistance
  • ISF – Insulin sensitivity factor
  • LH – Luteinizing hormone
  • MDI – Multiple daily injections
  • MEN – Multiple endocrine neoplasia
  • MetS – Metabolic syndrome
  • MNG – Multinodular goiter
  • MODY – Maturity-onset diabetes of the young

See all 64 endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.