Successful treatment of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults with Traditional Chinese Medicine: a case report

IntroductionLatent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is regarded as one of the Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus that progress slowly. It gradually became understood since 1970s. The onset usually appears in adulthood, the islet autoantibodies are positive and the function of β cell is declined rapidly. The treatment is insulin injection.Case presentationThe case reported followed is a 37-year-old male patient who was newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He abandoned oral hypoglycemic agents since they caused stomach indisposed. Before visiting, his islet autoantibodies were detected positive and he had never injected insulin before. We treated him with traditional Chinese herbals under the guidance of Traditional Chinese Medicine and differentiation, and achieved fine efficacy.ConclusionBecause the initial presentation of LADA is similar to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and examination is not in common use, misdiagnosis is not rare. Once LADA is diagnosed, the therapy must be adjusted. This case report indicated that Traditional Chinese Medicine might be an alternative treatment for LADA.