Type 5 Diabetes: What All You Should Know About This Overlooked Subtype Of Diabetes

Although it is lesser known, Type Diabetes is associated with mitochondrial disease, which is a critical condition that affects cellular energy.

In the last few years, diabetes has become a common topic of health concern for many. While most people know about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, which are conditions tied to insulin production or resistance, many are unaware of Type 5 diabetes.

Dr G. Krishna Mohan Reddy, Senior Consultant Physician and Diabetologist at Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad explains that Type 5 diabetes is a rare and often misunderstood subtype of diabetes which is linked to mitochondria dysfunction, where cellular energy impacts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels.

What is Type 5 Diabetes

Type 5 Diabetes, also referred to as malnutrition-related diabetes, is a distinct form of diabetes recently classified as a standalone type. “Unlike Type 1 (autoimmune) or Type 2 (insulin resistance), this form is rooted in chronic undernutrition—particularly during early childhood or adolescence— which impairs the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin,: says Dr Reddy.

He further explains that it primarily affects lean young adults, especially males in low- and middle-income countries. “These individuals are often underweight (BMI < 18.5) and have very low body fat levels, around 10–12%, compared to 20–25% in healthy adults. They are insulin-deficient but not insulin-resistant, which makes their condition unique,” explains the diabetologist.

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