MODY

MODY is a rare form of diabetes which is different from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and runs strongly in families. MODY is caused by a mutation (or change) in a single gene. If a parent has this gene mutation, any child they have, has a 50% chance of inheriting it from them. If a child does inherit the mutation, they will generally go on to develop MODY before they are 25, regardless of their weight, lifestyle, ethnic group etc.

The most common features of MODY are:

  • Being diagnosed with diabetes under the age of 25.
  • Having a parent with diabetes, with diabetes in two or more generations.
  • Not necessarily needing insulin.

MODY is very rare compared with Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes – experts estimate that only 1–2% of people with diabetes have it. But because MODY is so rare, doctors may not be aware of it, so it’s estimated that about 90% of people with it are mistakenly diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes at first.

The most common types of MODY are:

  • HNF1-alpha. This gene causes about 70 per cent of cases of MODY. It causes diabetes by lowering the amount of insulin made by the pancreas. Diabetes usually develops in adolescence or early twenties, and people with HNF1-alpha MODY generally don’t need to take insulin: they can be treated with small doses of a group of tablets called Sulphonylurea (often used in type 2 diabetes).
  • HNF4-alpha. This isn’t as common as the other forms of MODY. People who have inherited a change in this gene are likely to have had a birth weight of 9lb or more (around 4kg). They may also have had a low blood sugar at, or soon after, birth which might have needed treatment. People with HNF4-alpha are generally treated with a Sulphonylurea tablet but may progress on to needing insulin.
  • HNF1-beta. People with this type of MODY can have a variety of problems including renal cysts (cysts of the kidneys), uterine abnormalities and gout, as well as diabetes. Often the renal cysts can be detected in the womb before a baby is born. The diabetes tends to develop later and insulin treatment is usually necessary, as well as following a healthy balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. HNF4-beta MODY also carries a risk of complications of diabetes.
  • This gene helps the body to recognize how high the blood glucose level is in the body. When this gene isn’t working properly the body allows the level of blood glucose to be higher than it should be. Blood glucose levels in people with glucokinase MODY are typically only slightly higher than normal, generally between 5.5-8mmol/l. You don’t generally have symptoms of this type of MODY and so it’s often picked up through routine testing (eg during pregnancy). You don’t need any treatment for glucokinase MODY.

All types of MODY apart from glucokinase carry a risk of the long-term complications of diabetes so you should follow a healthy balanced diet and keep physically active as this helps to maintain good blood glucose and cholesterol levels which in turn reduce the risk of complications.

It is important to know if you have got MODY, for the following reasons:

  • To make sure you get the right treatment and advice for your type of diabetes (eg stopping insulin).
  • As there is a 50% chance of a parent passing on MODY to their child, you can consider and discuss the risk to any children you have/plan to have.
  • Genetic testing can be offered to other family members.

If you think you might have MODY you should discuss testing with your doctor.

Testing for MODY involves:

  • Having blood taken for pancreatic antibodies and blood or urine tested for C-peptide (your doctor/hospital can do this).
  • Having blood taken for genetic testing. Your doctor/hospital will take the blood from you, but they will send it on to the specialist center in Exeter for it to be tested, along with details of your diagnosis and treatment.