MODY: The Commonly Missed Cause Of "Type 1 Or Type 2" Diabetes In Young Adults
Exam/clinic pearl: If a lean 20- or 30-something is still making insulin (C-peptide preserved), has never had DKA, and doesn't look insulin-resistant-pause and consider MODY. Why genetic testing changes everything Confirms the diagnosis (prevents years of misclassification). Tailors therapy: HNF1A/HNF4A: switch from insulin/metformin to low-dose sulfonylurea (often dramatic HbA1c improvement). GCK: usually no pharmacotherapy needed; avoid overtreatment. Guides family screening: autosomal dominant - test first-degree relatives. Impacts pregnancy management: particularly for GCK, where treatment depends on whether the fetus inherits the variant. Which test to order? Request a MODY gene panel, or if phenotype strongly fits, start with HNF1A. In primary care, start with antibodies and C-peptide to justify referral/testing: Autoantibodies: negative https://license-medical.com/blog-details/mody-the-commonly-missed-cause-of-type-1-or-type-2-diabetes-in-young-adults/