Lance Bass reveals misdiagnosis of Type 1.5 diabetes

Lance Bass, the former *NSYNC member, discussed his personal health journey regarding Type 1.5 diabetes in a recent interview. This condition, often referred to as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, is typically misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes because its symptoms can resemble those of Type 2, especially as it often develops later in life, usually after age 30. Bass revealed that he was initially diagnosed as 'pre-diabetic' following a routine lab test, with his hemoglobin A1C results indicating levels in the 7.5 to 8 range, despite feeling healthy and being physically active throughout his career. After struggling with inadequate control over his blood sugar and persistent health concerns, Bass sought additional medical opinions, visiting three different doctors. Eventually, he obtained the correct diagnosis of Type 1.5 diabetes. This experience highlighted the importance of proactive health management and awareness regarding blood sugar monitoring. Bass is now collaborating with Dexcom, a company that specializes in continuous glucose monitoring systems. He aims to raise awareness of diabetes, particularly Type 1.5 diabetes, and to advocate for regular blood sugar checks among individuals, which can significantly impact their health management strategies. He emphasized the need for individuals to be informed about their health conditions and to not hesitate in seeking further evaluations if their initial diagnosis seems off. The conversation about Type 1.5 diabetes also revealed existing debates within the medical community, where some professionals argue against distinguishing it from Type 1 diabetes. They believe Type 1.5 is simply Type 1 that appears later in life, and this timing can lead to confusion around proper diagnosis and treatment. Bass’s story serves as a reminder that proper diagnosis in diabetes is crucial to effective treatment, and that education and awareness of the condition are vital for both patients and healthcare providers.