What is type 1B diabetes?

A few years ago at a time when antibody testing had become more common in cases of acute new onset insulin dependent diabetes in children and teens, it was noticed that some children with the typical clinical picture did not have a positive antibody test. This was encountered in only about 5% of Caucasian families, but in a little over 50% of Hispanic and African American families in North America. This group is now referred to as type 1B or idiopathic diabetes. The underlying cause is not yet fully understood, some may represent a different form of autoimmunity and some are linked to chromosomal changes. Knowing the exact form is not all that important except for genetic counselling and because about 50% of the type 1B can come off insulin after a number of weeks, though probably not permanently.

DOB