The International Diabetes Federation has just recognised Type 5 diabetes as a distinct condition. While the name might suggest there are only a few types, diabetes actually encompasses over a dozen forms – each with unique causes and treatment approaches.
Here’s a breakdown of the major types, including this newly identified one:
Type 1 Diabetes
An autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own insulin-producing cells.
- Can develop at any age
- Not caused by lifestyle or diet
- Requires lifelong insulin therapy (injections or pumps)
- Experimental treatments include stem-cell transplants
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common type, often linked to excess weight, though people of healthy weight can be affected too – especially if they have a strong family history or belong to higher-risk ethnic groups (e.g. South Asian, African, Caribbean).
- Treated with medication (e.g. metformin), lifestyle changes, and sometimes very-low-calorie diets
- Can be reversed in some cases with intensive interventions
Gestational Diabetes
Occurs during pregnancy, usually between weeks 24–28, due to hormonal changes affecting insulin response.
- Risk factors: obesity, age, family history, ethnicity
- Managed through diet, physical activity, and sometimes medication
- Usually resolves after childbirth, but increases the risk of future Type 2 diabetes
Rarer Forms of Diabetes
- Neonatal Diabetes: Appears in the first 6 months of life due to single-gene mutations; some cases managed with oral meds
- MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young): A genetic type diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood
- Type 3c Diabetes: Caused by damage to the pancreas (e.g. from surgery, cancer, or pancreatitis)
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes: Affects many with CF, often by age 40
Type 5 Diabetes (Newly Recognised)
This form is linked to undernutrition in early life – especially during pregnancy or early childhood.
- Most commonly seen in low-income countries
- Affects up to 25 million people globally
- Caused by underdeveloped pancreatic function, not by autoimmunity or obesity
- Research shows that low-protein diets during development lead to smaller pancreases – a key diabetes risk factor
Why This Matters
Diabetes is not a single disease – it’s a spectrum of conditions sharing one main symptom: elevated blood glucose. But the causes, complications, and treatments differ widely.
Recognising Type 5 diabetes shines a light on a neglected global health issue driven by poverty, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access.
Takeaway
As we learn more about the many forms of diabetes, our strategies for diagnosis and treatment must evolve. Type 5 diabetes is more than just a new category – it represents millions of people whose diabetes needs may have gone unrecognised for too long.
Need support with diabetes?
Your Centrum Pharmacist can:
- Provide diabetes counselling
- Conduct medication reviews (including Diabetes MedChecks)
- Offer advice on managing your condition and medications
Visit your local Centrum Pharmacy today to speak with your pharmacist.
Support is just a conversation away.
Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.
