In addition to type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, there are a range of other types of diabetes, which are just as important.
About 2% of people have these other types of diabetes. These include different types of monogenic diabetes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and diabetes caused by rare syndromes. Certain medications such as steroids and antipsychotics could lead to other types of diabetes, as well as surgery or hormonal imbalances.
Unfortunately, many of these people are misdiagnosed leading to delays in getting the right treatment. We’re proud of the research we have supported to ensure better diagnosis and treatments for all types of diabetes, and it’s taught us a lot about the condition. Get more information on other types of diabetes:
- Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY)
- Neonatal diabetes
- Wolfram Syndrome
- Alström Syndrome
- Latent Autoimmune diabetes in Adults (LADA)
- Type 3c diabetes
- Steroid-induced diabetes
- Cystic fibrosis diabetes
Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY)
MODY is a rare form of diabetes which is different from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and runs strongly in families. MODY is caused by a mutation (or change) in a single gene. If a parent has this gene mutation, any child they have, has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting it from them. If a child does inherit the mutation they will generally go on to develop MODY before they’re 25, whatever their weight, lifestyle, ethnic group etc.
Neonatal diabetes
Neonatal diabetes is a form of diabetes that is diagnosed under the age of six months. It’s a different type of diabetes than the more common type 1 diabetes as it’s not an autoimmune condition (where the body has destroyed its insulin producing cells).
Wolfram Syndrome
Wolfram Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder which is also known as DIDMOAD syndrome after its four most common features (Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy and Deafness).
Alström Syndrome
Alström Syndrome is a rare genetically inherited syndrome which has a number of common features.
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)
LADA is a type of diabetes which seems to straddle type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Bits of it are more like type 1, and other bits are more like type 2. That's why some people call it type 1.5 diabetes or type 1 ½ diabetes.
It’s not actually classified as a separate type of diabetes at the moment, but there's some medical research going on to try and pinpoint exactly what makes it different from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 3c diabetes
Type 3c diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops when another disease causes damage to the pancreas. The conditions related to type 3c are pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis or haemochromatosis. You can also develop type 3c if you have part or all of your pancreas removed because of other damage.
Steroid-induced diabetes
Some people who take steroids can go on to develop diabetes. This is known as steroid-induced diabetes, and is more common in people who are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Cystic fibrosis diabetes
Cystic fibrosis diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in people with cystic fibrosis. Although it has features of both type 1 and type 2, it is a different condition.
