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Type 5 diabetes officially recognised in 2025

We are all aware of the common types of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) which essentially are diseases where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels. In 2025 the International Diabetes Federation officially recognised Type 5 diabetes and research estimates that globally 25 million people have it.

What is Type 5 diabetes?

Primarily Type 5 diabetes is caused by chronic undernutrition, especially during early life. This differs from Type 1, where there is autoimmune destruction or insulin resistance driven by obesity like Type 2. It is suggested that long-term, early exposure to undernutrition leads to underdevelopment of the pancreas, which is crucial to insulin delivery and production. This leads to inadequate insulin production, which in turn leads to uncontrolled and high blood sugar levels.

In Type 5 diabetes it is undernutrition that is the trigger that impairs the pancreas early in life rather than autoimmunity (Type 1) or obesity (Type 2). Many people with Type 5 diabetes have been misdiagnosed as having Type 1 or Type 2 which can lead to poor treatment outcomes.

Who has Type 5 diabetes?

  • As the condition is largely due to undernutrition during early stages of life, Type 5 diabetes is found more commonly in patients who had chronic malnutrition during childhood and adolescence.
  • It is most commonly seen in low- and middle-income countries, especially in parts of Asia and Africa.
  • As awareness is still emerging, it may also affect marginalised or food-insecure populations in higher-income countries.

Type 5 diabetes is an under-recognized issue, but millions likely are living with it.

What Are The Signs Of Type 5 Diabetes?

Type 5 diabetes symptoms are similar to the symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2, including increased thirst, frequent urination, elevated blood glucose levels, fatigue and weight loss. However, there are distinguishing features between the three types:

  • The person may be underweight and may have had poor early nutrition, but because the insulin-secretion defect is the main issue, rather than insulin resistance, the pattern of disease is different, with less likelihood of ketosis (unlike classic Type 1) despite high blood sugar.
  • Some of the signs above come and go by themselves so are not necessarily diabetes or are caused by other factors.
  • Being at a “healthy” or low weight and showing signs of raised blood sugars.
  • Being treated for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes but the treatment is not working as expected.

What does the treatment entail for Type 5 diabetes?

The answer to date is not clear and treatment still evolving. Formal guidelines for Type 5 are in development. Currently, as Type 5 diabetes is in some ways closer to early-stage Type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy can be helpful. Some Type 2 medications can also be helpful in enabling the lower amounts of insulin work more efficiently. Treatment is advancing, as research continues. With increased awareness and more studies, we have to hope for more targeted treatment options for Type 5 diabetes in the future.

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