What is MODY?
MODY, or Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, refers to a group of rare inherited forms of diabetes. It is often misdiagnosed as Type 2 or Type 1. MODY patients usually produce some insulin and have normal insulin sensitivity, but may not produce enough insulin to cover meals. One fellow MODY described our disorder as having a “lazy pancreas”, which I find amusing but unfortunately accurate.
MODY can be officially diagnosed through genetic testing, but I personally have not undergone any of the genetic tests needed to pinpoint which of the six varieties of MODY I have. Genetic tests became available well after I was diagnosed through exclusion, and would not at this point change my course of treatment. Like most MODY diabetics, there is a strong presence of diabetes in my family tree. My mother’s two brothers, father and grandfather were all insulin-dependent diabetics, and she herself was diagnosed as Type 2 in her late 50s.
A brief overview of MODY:
Essential in-depth MODY reading:
Additional reading:
5 Comments Add your own
Leave a reply to Heather Cancel reply
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
Lancet Queen: My Life as a MODY Diabetic 
1.
Nikki Allen | April 19, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Hi there, just came across your blog, by doing a random MODY search on google. I’ve read a few of your entries and found them really interesting.
I’m a MODY 3 and have had very little contact with others with our weird type 🙂
I see you have recently started on insulin, i started using insulin in June 2006 after several years using oral meds.
If you would like to chat then feel free to email me, it would be nice to hear from you
take care
Nikki
2.
grtgmadeb | May 20, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I never heard of MODY and am wondering about it. Will do more research and learn. The disease is prominent in my family on one side (mother) my mother, her brothers, her mother and I suspect it goes farther back than that. Unfortunately my mother’s memory is so poor I may not be able to find any more. My sister was just recently diagnoised (she’s in her 40’s) and I worry about my daughters but can only warn them and try to be a good example, unlike my mother who does denial well but at 85 not likely to change.
3.
Malinda | March 19, 2009 at 3:07 pm
In my immediate family, My brother (type 1), my sister (type 2), and my dad (type 2) all have diabetes. Last month, my doctor referred me to an Endocrinologist. He gave me a monitor, and told me that I have Dysmetabolic Syndrome X. What baffled me about this was no blood was drawn while I was there. He did lance my finger (which hurt ALOT) and told me my sugar was 95. He put me on Lipitor which I only chose to start taking a week ago. I am terrified to prick my finger. My family hasn’t helped me overcome my fears. The stress of this whole mess has raised my blood pressure. I don’t know what to do and would really appreciate some tips. How do you get comfortable causing yourself pain?
THANKS!
4.
Heather | June 27, 2009 at 8:32 am
My 3 year old daughter is in the process of going to an endocrinologist to see if she has MODY. the description of the “lazy pancreas” is actually very accurate to what she’s going through. as far as pricking your finger we bought her these ultra fine lancetes that go to her one touch ultra glucometer but i’m sure they make ultra fine tips for whatever brand you have. Like I said she’s 3 and we’ve been only doing this for 2 months and she doesn’t even notice anymore!! that’s really the only advice I have other then when we VERY first started i had her eat an Ice Pop (to numb her finger slightly) and that worked ok too. Good Luck.
5.
kirsteen | February 24, 2011 at 4:54 pm
i have had type1 for 30years now but over last few months its gone crazy and i wake with blood sugars of 30 every morning and hypo alot at night my specialist mentioned this term ;mody’ and then i found this, i really need help/advice as am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. thanks