type 1b diabetes mellitus


type 1b diabetes mellitus

A relatively less common form of type 1 DM (seen in only about 10% of type 1 diabetics) in which autoimmune antibodies against insulin, pancreatic beta cells, or their protein products are not found in the blood. Beta cells are nonetheless destroyed (by unknown means), and the patient develops hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis unless he or she receives insulin. Synonym: idiopathic diabetesSee also: diabetes