Diagnosed as an Adult? It’s Common and not Talked about Enough
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a disease commonly associated with young children, which is why it was once known as juvenile diabetes. But kids aren’t the only ones who can be diagnosed with T1D—in fact, 42% of people with T1D are diagnosed between the ages of 31 and 60.
This age misconception can actually be dangerous for adults as they are often misdiagnosed or more likely to brush off their own symptoms. Below are thoughts from a few members of the JDRF community, who share a bit about what it’s like to be diagnosed with T1D as an adult and how to manage it.
Recognize the Symptoms
“I was drinking all this water and peeing a lot. As an emergency room nurse, I should have put the pieces together, but I was in denial.”
– Lauren, AZ (diagnosed at 25)
It’s important to realize that early signs of T1D in adults often develop quickly and may sometimes be brushed off—or mistaken for another illness. What are the symptoms? Frequent urination, extreme thirst, increased appetite and unexpected weight loss are some of the most common.
Getting the (Right) Diagnosis
“When I went to the emergency room, they didn’t tell me I had type 1 diabetes. They asked me a bunch of questions but didn’t know what I had. The second doctor I saw said it was maybe a form of type 1 diabetes, but gave me type 2 medication. I ended up in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).”
– Mercedes, NV (diagnosed at 23)
Being misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes is, unfortunately, incredibly common in adults with high blood sugar—especially for people of color. Assumptions of type 2 diabetes can be dangerous, so it’s important to be your own advocate and speak up when questions aren’t adequately answered or something doesn’t feel right.
Acclimating to Life with T1D
“Long-term complications terrify me, and I go a little overboard in order to keep my blood glucose in range. But being a part of JDRF and participating in a clinical study really helped me get my head wrapped around that life-changing event.”
– Adam, MN (diagnosed at 36)
The unknown can be really scary. We get it and we want to help. Check out our resources for newly diagnosed adults, find local JDRF events for you to meet others in the community or match with a clinical trial if you want to follow Adam’s example!