Misdiagnosis of Underlying Causes of Diabetes

About underlying conditions: With a diagnosis of Diabetes, it is important to consider whether there is an underlying condition causing Diabetes. These are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Diabetes. For general information on this form of misdiagnosis, see Underlying Condition Misdiagnosis or Overview of Misdiagnosis

Underlying conditions of Diabetes: Although the majority of diabetes diagnoses are correct, occasionally the real cause of diabetes is an underlying condition. In some rare cases, the diabetes can be halted or even reversed by treating an underlying condition (e.g. hemochromatosis).

Underlying conditions list: The list of possible underlying conditions mentioned in various sources for Diabetes includes:

Metabolic syndrome - a syndrome with 4 key features (diabetes, hypertension, obesity/overweight, and high cholesterol).
Insulin resistance
Hemochromatosis - iron overload causes pancreas damage that can mimic Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Chronic pancreatitis - pancreas damage that can mimic diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - ovary cysts inhibit natural female hormones causing insulin resistance
Carcinoid syndrome - glucose intolerance, protean manifestations, serotonin inhibits insulin production
Pancreas surgery
Pancreas trauma (type of Pancreas conditions)
Overactive pituitary gland
Overactive adrenal glands
Pancreatic insufficiency (see Pancreas symptoms)
Acromegaly
Cushing's disease (type of Cushing's syndrome)
Cystic fibrosis
Adenocarcinomas
Somatostatinoma
Aldosteronoma-induced hypokalaemia
Phaeochromocytoma
Primary aldosteronism
Wolfram's syndrome
Leprechaunism
Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome
Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) - can inhibit insulin and lead to insulin resistance.
Type B insulin resistance - insulin receptor antibodies can inhibit insulin action.
Stiff Man syndrome - about half have Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies and get Type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes as a complication: Other conditions that might have Diabetes as a complication might be potential underlying conditions. The list of conditions listing Diabetes as a complication includes:

Diabetes as a symptom: Conditions listing Diabetes as a symptom may also be potential underlying conditions:

Underlying conditions discussion: "Other specific types" of diabetes result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses. Such types of diabetes may account for 1 to 2 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. ¹

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Diabetes Statistics in the United States: NIDDK

Last revision: April 10, 2003

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