Understanding Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA): A Closer Look Through Mila Clarke's Story
In a recent episode of the iHeartMedia podcast “Symptomatic”, hosted by Lauren Bret Pacheco, listeners are invited into a moving story that highlights the unique challenges of managing a lesser-known form of diabetes: Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults, or LADA. This episode features Mila Clarke, known as "The Hangry Woman," and esteemed endocrinologist Dr. Arti Thangudu, who together shed light on Mila’s journey to a diagnosis that took years to uncover and on the complexities of understanding diabetes as a multifaceted condition.
LADA, is a slower-progressing form of Type 1 diabetes that’s typically diagnosed in adulthood. Because LADA has characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, it is frequently misdiagnosed as Type 2. That being said, Dr. Thangudu explains that given Mila’s history this diagnosis should not have been missed and she should have been referred to an endocrinologist early in her care. Endocrinologists are familiar with LADA diagnosis and treatment, and her healthcare journey could have been much better had she been referred to the correct specialist early on.
Patients with LADA may initially manage with lifestyle changes and oral medications, but over a short period of time, they experience a loss of insulin-producing beta cells, necessitating insulin therapy.
Mila’s Journey to a LADA Diagnosis
Mila Clarke’s story captures the real-world implications of this diagnostic ambiguity. After being initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in her mid-twenties, Mila spent years struggling with treatments that didn’t address her underlying autoimmune condition. Despite diligently following lifestyle modifications, her blood sugar levels remained unmanageable, leaving her frustrated and stigmatized. Only after extensive self-advocacy and a referral to an endocrinologist was Mila finally re-diagnosed with LADA, an experience she shares with empathy and resilience on the podcast.
Reflecting on her own experience, Mila expresses how essential it is for patients to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and seek care providers who view them as partners in their health journey. Her voice, both in the podcast and through her social media, helps to amplify the struggles and triumphs of living with a condition that often goes misunderstood.
Dr. Arti Thangudu: A Compassionate Approach to Understanding Diabetes
In this episode, Dr. Arti Thangudu, a triple board-certified endocrinologist with a commitment to patient-centered diabetes care, provides essential context for understanding diabetes as a complex and varied disease. She explains:
“We are learning that there are types of diabetes that we haven't even discovered yet. Diabetes is a complicated diagnosis. The most common ones that we hear about are Type 2 and Type 1. Type 2 diabetes is more connected with metabolic syndrome, lifestyle-related, but there are huge genetic factors. It’s not like people are choosing to have diabetes, right? And so Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, so the blood sugar gets high, and that can wreak havoc on basically all of our organs, our heart, kidneys, nerves, feet, eyes, things like that. Type 2 is usually a more gradual onset, and if treated well and early, it can actually be put into remission."
Dr. Thangudu also breaks down the unique characteristics of Type 1 diabetes, which is autoimmune in nature, with the body mistakenly attacking its insulin-producing cells. This autoimmune destruction means that people with Type 1 diabetes, unlike those with Type 2, cannot produce any insulin and will require insulin therapy for survival.
The Complexity of LADA and the Need for Awareness
LADA, as Dr. Thangudu describes, is “a little bit more gradual” in its onset compared to Type 1 diabetes, which can lead to significant room for misdiagnosis. She explains that in LADA, the progression of beta cell destruction is slower than in classic Type 1, allowing the condition to initially appear as Type 2. However, as insulin production declines, patients often require insulin therapy within months to years of their diagnosis.
Mila’s story illustrates why it’s so essential for both patients and healthcare providers to understand these nuances in diabetes. For Mila, the journey to a proper diagnosis involved extensive self-advocacy and a willingness to seek second opinions. Dr. Thangudu’s compassionate approach to explaining the various types of diabetes highlights the importance of a patient-centered approach, one that treats patients as individuals with unique needs and histories.
Advocating for Patient-Centered Diabetes Care
The podcast emphasizes the critical need for empathetic, thorough medical care, especially for patients presenting with symptoms that don’t fit neatly into one diagnostic box. As Dr. Thangudu shares, healthcare today often lacks the time to build doctor-patient relationships, creating a divide that makes it harder for patients to feel truly understood. She hopes for a more empathetic, patient-centered approach to diabetes care, one that ensures everyone has access to the specialists and resources they need for optimal management.
As Mila continues to share her journey through her blog and social media platforms, she serves as an advocate for others navigating similar journeys. Her story resonates with anyone who has struggled to find the right diagnosis or who feels misunderstood in the healthcare system. Her story is a reminder to keep asking questions, seeking answers, and finding community, as well as a powerful call for healthcare providers to approach each patient with compassion and understanding.
For more about Mila’s journey with LADA and insights from Dr. Thangudu, listen to this episode of “Symptomatic”. You can also find additional resources and stories on Mila’s blog, The Hangry Woman, and learn more about diabetes awareness from Dr. Thangudu’s Instagram @drartithangudu and our Resources.
