When it comes to diabetes , there is hardly anyone in our country who does not know it. Many people think that there are only two types of diabetes , namely Type 1 and Type 2. But did you know that there is another special type of diabetes besides this? That is what we medically call MODY, or 'Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young'. This is a bit rare, and it is directly inherited . It is very important to identify this accurately, because the treatment for this can be different from other types of diabetes.
Why does MODY develop? What is the cause?
Simply put, MODY is caused by a change, or mutation, in a single gene in our body. This is the main difference between MODY and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes . Other types of diabetes are caused by a combination of factors, such as multiple genes, obesity , and a poor lifestyle. But MODY is caused by a single gene.
Imagine, because of this genetic change, your pancreas does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin . As you know, insulin is an essential hormone that helps the body absorb the sugar in the food we eat as energy, and it also controls blood sugar levels. So when there is not enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise.
Who is more likely to develop this condition?
MODY is an inherited disease. This means that if someone in your family has MODY, you are more likely to develop it. For example, if either your mother or father has MODY, you have a 50% chance of developing it. This is a very strong hereditary link. In some families, the disease can be seen in all three generations: grandparents, mothers, fathers, and children.
This disease is usually diagnosed in young people under the age of 35. However, it can occur at any age.
The important thing is that, unlike Type 2 diabetes, people who develop MODY are often not obese, and they don't have high blood pressure. They can be at a healthy weight.
How do you know if you have MODY? What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of MODY depend on which gene you have the defect in. Sometimes you may not have any symptoms at all. But in general, the disease develops slowly. You may have had high blood sugar levels for years, and these symptoms may appear later:
- Frequent thirst and hunger
- Needing to urinate more often than usual
- Blurred vision
- Frequent occurrence of skin infections or yeast infections
- Weight loss without any specific reason
- Frequent fatigue
What complications can occur if left untreated?
Like other types of diabetes, MODY is characterized by high blood sugar levels. If left untreated, high blood sugar levels over a long period of time can lead to serious complications. This is also common in MODY.
- Nerve damage
- Heart disease
- Eye damage (which can eventually lead to blindness )
- Foot problems
- Frequent skin infections
How is MODY diagnosed?
Because the symptoms of MODY are so mild, you or your doctor may not think it's MODY at first. When a routine blood test shows that your blood sugar levels are high, your doctor will tell you that you have diabetes. The next step is to find out exactly what type of diabetes you have.
Your doctor will take a detailed look at your family history of diabetes and may also order special blood tests to rule out type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Based on these results, your doctor may suggest genetic testing to confirm whether you have MODY. This involves taking DNA from a saliva or blood sample and testing it in a lab to see if there are any changes in the genes that cause MODY.
How is MODY treated?
The treatment for MODY depends on which gene you have the defect in. This is why it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. The table below lists some of the main types of MODY and their treatments.
| MODY Type | Treatment |
|---|---|
| MODY 1 and MODY 4 | Sulfonylureas are commonly used as diabetes medications. These medications stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. Some people may also need insulin injections. |
| MODY 2 | This is a very mild condition. It can usually be controlled with diet and exercise . In most cases, medication is not needed. |
| MODY 3 | In the early stages, it can be controlled through diet. Over time, sulfonylureas tablets and later insulin injections may be required. |
| MODY 5 | This requires insulin injections . This is a rare type. It can also affect other organs, such as the kidneys. Therefore, complications such as kidney cysts or kidney failure also need to be treated. |
| MODY 6 | This type usually appears around the age of 40. Insulin is given as treatment. |
As you can see, treatment varies depending on the type of MODY. So, if you or a family member has diabetes, especially if it developed at a young age and without obesity, it's very important to talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- MODY is a type of diabetes that is different from Type 1 and Type 2 and is caused by genetic causes.
- This is passed down from generation to generation and usually occurs in young, non-obese people.
- Because treatment options vary depending on the type of MODY, it is very important to get an accurate diagnosis.
- If diabetes runs in several generations of your family, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
- Regardless of the type of diabetes, it is essential to follow medical advice exactly to avoid complications.
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